Head chef Leo Kattou leaves Simpsons restaurant after 13 years

The Staff Canteen

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Head chef Leo Kattou leaves Simpsons restaurant after 13 years and is taking time to reflect on his aspirations

In an Instagram post uploaded yesterday, Leo Kattou thanked people for all the wonderful messages he had received since announcing that he was leaving his position at the Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons.

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In the post, Leo discussed his time at Simpsons stating that it had been "nothing short of incredible" and that he was "so fortunate to start [his] career [there]." He also discussed how he started out as a commis chef at only 16, in 2009, but under the guidance and direction of chef-director Luke Tipping had progressed to head chef.

Adding that, during his time, he had "gained a family member for life in the process," and also thanked Andreas Antona, chef-patron of Simpsons, "for giving [him] the opportunity of a lifetime and for always supporting [him]."

His Career

Leo has always been surrounded by food, helping his parents with their cooking from an early age but he quickly graduated from that as Andreas Antona, who happened to be a good friend of his father's, helped him secure a place to study professional cookery at UCB.

This would lead to him joining the Simpsons not too long afterwards, where he would stay for the next 13 years.

During his time at the restaurant, he was encouraged by some of his higher-ups to put his knowledge to the test in some competitions - namely making it to the semi-finals of MasterChef: The Professionals 2017 and winning BCF's Chef of the Year 2021.

Regarding his time at Simpsons, Leo said: "I have had the honour of working alongside some amazing chefs.

"Simpsons Restaurant is a beautiful magical place that operates with excellence and inspires guests and staff alike. I have never known anything like it and I am so proud to have worked there.

"My departure may have come as a surprise" he explained he "wanted to take some time before turning the big 30 next month to reflect on [his] aspirations as a chef."

While he didn't reveal what the future held for him, he did say that he would be taking some "very well-deserved" time away from the kitchen, where he would be playing lots of golf and catching up with his family.

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