:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56909451/tombrown.0.jpg)
Tom Brown, the head chef at Nathan Outlaw’s eponymous, Michelin-starred seafood restaurant at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, has announced that he will leave the restaurant to set up his first solo project in the new year.
Brown, who has worked for chef / restaurateur Outlaw for six years, will launch his own new restaurant in Hackney Wick, east London, in January or February 2018. He was appointed head chef at Outlaw’s at The Capital in January 2016. The planned site is close to Pearl Hackney Wick, the chef told Eater London.
The chef took to Instagram to announce the “end of an era”, adding: “For the last 6 years I've been fortunate enough to have the privilege and honour of working for my amazing mentor and friend @nathanoutlaw and now it's time to branch out on my own.
“I'm so incredibly grateful for all the support I've had during that time, I'd be nowhere without it. Thanks so much as well to @ktatthehotel, my amazing team of chefs and everyone else @thecapitalhotel for everything over the last two years... love you all. Stay strong.”
Outlaw himself praised the chef, saying:
"Tom came to work with me as a chef de partie at Outlaw’s at St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, Cornwall. Right from the start, I knew he was something special. Everyone who met him commented on his passion and enthusiasm and that hasn’t wavered over the years. Since being at Outlaw’s at The Capital, I’ve seen him grow and develop into an amazing and extraordinarily talented chef. More recently, he has become a favourite at various events and has enjoyed success on BBC’s Great British Menu. There is no doubt, Tom will continue to flourish and I can only wish him well in his new role."
In a statement regarding Brown’s departure, reported by The Caterer, the Capital hotel said: “Tom has been a great asset to Outlaw’s at the Capital, taking the team from strength to strength, and we now look forward to this next chapter for the restaurant as sous chef, Andrew Sawyer, takes the helm alongside Nathan Outlaw.”