Harrods to cut ties with big-name chefs including Tom Kerridge and Calum Franklin

Harrods is to end its restaurant partnerships with high-profile chefs Tom Kerridge, Calum Franklin, Gordon Ramsay and Masayoshi Takayama as it moves to creating more in-house dining options.

The luxury London department store said its Sushi by Masa, Kerridge’s Fish and Chips and Calum Franklin at the Georgian restaurants would all close by the end of August.

Franklin’s restaurant only opened at the end of last year in the historic Georgian dining room space, which was once largest restaurant in London.

Gordon Ramsay Burger will shut its doors on 11 January next year. The restaurant made headlines when it launched in 2020 for serving an £85, 1,665 calorie Wagyu beef burger.

Harrods said the changes followed a strategic review of customer preferences and current industry trends, including a rise in people dining earlier in the evening.

The luxury store is planning to invest in its own food and beverage concepts with new openings set to launch in the coming months.

However, it will remain home to several restaurants run in partnership with outside chefs and brands, including Pasta Evangelists and Kinoya Ramen Bar, which was created in Dubai by chef Neha Mishra.

The Georgian will continue to serve its afternoon tea and terrace menus after Franklin’s departure.

Michael Ward, managing director at Harrods, said: “As part of Harrods’ considered customer approach, we took the decision a number of months ago to review feedback and data to ensure our in-store experience is delivering against customers’ evolving preferences.

“Harrods has a rich history of serving the finest food and drink and we are constantly progressing our dining offerings. We’d like to thank all the fantastic chefs that we have been very privileged to work with over the last few years for their partnership. Together we have served many thousands of diners from shoppers to families and friends celebrating special moments in our restaurants.”

The announcement marks a reversal of the strategy Harrods has followed for several years and comes after the departure of its director of restaurants and kitchens Ashley Saxton earlier this summer.

A 2023 article in The Times said Harrods’ restaurant trade had risen 44% in four years under Saxton’s direction, which included a focus on bringing in big-name chefs.

Harrods has already ended partnerships with several high-profile chefs this year. Jason Atherton’s Hot Dogs by Three Darlings pop-up finished its run after eight months this spring and Swedish chef Björn Frantzén’s Studio Frantzén restaurant shut its doors in January after around three years of trading.