A TV chef has announced the sudden closure of his Michelin Star-recommended restaurant - saying “We just cannot make this work”. Simon Wood, 48, said his fine dining establishment WOOD Manchester had ceased trading as it faced down rent arrears, rising bills and spiralling ingredients costs. The dad of four from Saddleworth, Manchester, opened his self-titled bistro seven years ago, creating dishes with ‘seasonal, high welfare and foraged’ produce.
Guests could expect to fork out £125 for his ‘Chef’s Selection Menu' and wine flight - which featured Veal Sweetbreads and hand-dived scallops. And today the restaurant's website was still advertising its £60 per head Christmas menu when Simon took to social media to say it had shut for good. Writing in a post on Facebook, he said: “Dear Friends, Customers and Suppliers of WOOD Manchester.
“It is with much regret that I have to inform you that I must close the doors here at WOOD for good, with immediate effect. “We have had 7 years as part of the Manchester City dining scene and I’m very proud of what the team and I have achieved. “Sadly with COVID rent arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an increasingly difficult marketplace, energy increases, ingredient costs and soon to be spiralling business rates we just cannot make this work.
“I’d like to thank everyone for your support and patronage over the years.” Simon was a data scientist for almost 20 years before he quit his job and took on a ca.
