MasterChef star reveals why he's shutting top-rated Michelin restaurant

Simon Wood, who won the amateur version of MasterChef in 2015, has been forced to close his eponymous restaurant

TV chef Simon Wood has announced the abrupt closure of his Michelin Star-recommended restaurant, stating "We just cannot make this work". The 48 year old revealed that his fine dining venue, WOOD Manchester, had stopped trading due to rent arrears, escalating bills and soaring ingredient costs.

The father of four from Saddleworth, Manchester, launched his eponymous bistro seven years ago, crafting dishes with 'seasonal, high welfare and foraged' produce. Patrons could anticipate paying £125 for his 'Chef's Selection Menu' and wine flight, which included Veal Sweetbreads and hand-dived scallops.

As of today (Weds), the restaurant's website was still promoting its £60 per head Christmas menu when Simon announced on social media that it had permanently closed. In a Facebook post, he wrote: "Dear Friends, Customers and Suppliers of WOOD Manchester."

Read more: Bullring store to close as it cuts prices 70%

"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 spent nearly two decades as a data scientist before making a drastic career change into the hospitality industry.

His culinary journey began in 2015 when he won the amateur version of MasterChef at the age of 38, which led him to open WOOD Manchester in 2017 and WoodKraft in Cheltenham in 2018.

WOOD Manchester earned a Michelin recommendation in 2019 and has been awarded the prestigious double AA Rosette.

Recently, Simon expressed his appreciation for TV shows like The Bear, which shed light on the challenges faced by those in the hospitality industry, giving chefs the respect they "deserved".

He commented: "I have seen all the things that happen on these shows at some point - even in the space of 40 minutes."

"People love the drama that comes with high-end hospitality, and I think it's all shown in drama TV programmes like The Bear and Boiling Point."

"It can be just as intense in real life."

"You get stressful moments where all the cheques arrive at once, or someone drops the sauce, burns the food and cuts their fingers."

"The flare-ups between each other [are realistic]."

"Also, most definitely the shouting, swearing, raw intensity, you see in these programmes, I think, is all very factual - It's true to the life of a functioning kitchen."