[Red Moon]

TV CHEF'S RESTAURANT CLOSES

The restaurant owned by celebrity chef John Burton Race has closed its doors, just days after viewers voted him off a reality TV show.

A notice has appeared in the window of Dartmouth's New Angel restaurant, saying it is no longer open for business.

It is understood staff were paid their final wages last night, because the restaurant was unable to remain open amid severe financial pressures. The news comes just days after Mr Burton Race was evicted from ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

It is thought the chef was still in Australia. He was unavailable for comment on the closure.

In March, the chef left his wife and six children for his mistress, Suzi Ward, and the two-year-old son he fathered.

His estranged wife and business partner, Kim Burton Race, declined to comment on the restaurant's closure. Last night, New Angel staff confirmed they were told the restaurant would shut from Sunday night.

Waiters and chefs told the WMN that a meeting had taken place with all the staff where they were given their wages and P45s.

A Polish employee, who did not want to be named said: "It's rubbish. We were told Sunday that the restaurant would close just like that. They can't do it - it's too short notice."

Another Polish waiter, who has been working for the New Angel for six months, said: "We tried to called John in Australia but the TV production told us we couldn't contact him. I'm annoyed because I have just lost my job overnight and I don't understand why."

Litter bags were put outside the door to block the entrance to the restaurant and a sign was put on the window alerting customers the New Angel was now closed.

The sign read: "It is with deep regret that as of Tuesday 27th November 2007 the New Angel restaurant and rooms will cease trading. Please direct all enquiries to John Burton Race."

The WMN tried to contact Mr Burton Race on a mobile number on the sign but there was no answer.

About 15 to 20 people were working at the New Angel.

Source: This is Cornwall

[Jackie]

Im not surprised i hope he didn't treat his customers the same as in the jungle.

[Red Moon]

I'm A Celebrity... chef is evicted to find restaurant closed in latest round of divorce battle

Fresh from facing bushtucker trials in ITV's I'm A Celebrity, John Burton Race is now confronting a more serious challenge in real life.

After being kicked off the reality show last week, the celebrity chef woke up yesterday to the news that his estranged wife had closed down his restaurant and sacked all the staff.

The Michelin- starred New Angel has closed its doors for good, with the loss of 20 jobs, after an emergency meeting called by Kim Burton Race.

When contacted last night, the chef - who is still in Australia - said: "I didn't know the restaurant was closed or that there was a note in the window. The decision wasn't made by me - it's in the hands of the lawyers. I've got nothing more to say."

The couple are going through a bitter £3.6million divorce and it is believed Mrs Burton Race wants to sell the business in Dartmouth, Devon, to fund her settlement.

Staff at the New Angel were said to have faced huge pressure as suppliers withdrew credit arrangements with the restaurant after Mr Burton Race left for Australia.

Managers were forced to buy the produce they needed every day "based purely on how much cash was in the till".

A close friend of the couple said staff bore no ill will towards Mrs Burton Race, 42, over her actions.

He said: "The business was becoming a basket case.

"People are furious that John flew off to play Tarzan in the jungle leaving everyone else to clear up the *******.

"You can see why Kim wanted to shut the restaurant down. She's taking a hit on the losses. With John in Australia she had her chance."

He added: "There are some serious debts and suppliers wouldn't deal in anything but cash."

Chefs and waiting staff have now been told the restaurant will not be reopening and have been told to look for other work.

A notice placed in the window reads: "It is with deep regret that the New Angel restaurant and rooms will cease trading. Please direct all enquiries to John Burton Race."

Waiters and chefs said a meeting took place on Monday night where they were given their final wages and P45s.

One recently sacked worker said an irate Mrs Burton Race - who has six children, two of whom were fathered by her estranged husband - visited the site on Friday to inform workers she was shutting it down.

The staff member said: "She came in to tell us she was closing the restaurant and we had two days left of trading. John will be fuming. The restaurant is everything to him."

The divorce comes after the Daily Mail revealed earlier this year that Mr Burton Race, 50, fathered a love child with his mistress Suzi Ward, 40, three years ago.

At a court hearing in September, he was ordered by a judge to sell the New Angel so that the couple's assets could be divided.

Mr Burton Race is not the only former I'm A Celebrity evictee to have received unwelcome news on leaving the jungle.

His fellow contestant Marc Bannerman - who flirted outrageously with campmate Cerys Matthews in front of the cameras - has been dumped by his girlfriend over his behaviour.

Actress Sarah Matravers called in the removal men yesterday as she prepared to move out their North London home.

Source: Daily Mail

[Sunny_01]

I really hate to hear about things like this. People losing their living because others cant settle things amicably.