MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 finalist Jono Hawthorne to launch first solo venture

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor

MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 finalist Jono Hawthorne is set to open his own restaurant, Chef Jono at Vice & Virtue.

The chef was the head chef at Vice and Virtue alongside executive head chef and restaurateur Luke Downing since May 2019. As chef patron, he will be free to take the venue in an even more personal direction. 

Announcing the news on his Instagram page, the chef said: "Today I am happy to announce that I will be taking over Vice & Virtue Restaurant as chef patron, my first solo venture."

Describing the launch as the achievement of a dream, he said that "everything I have ever worked for has been for this moment. I now have a place I can call my own and I couldn’t be more excited for what is to come!"

Biography

After attending the Thomas Danby food college in Leeds, the Yorkshire chef and was taken on by Wayne Brimbicombe to finish his apprenticeship at Beeties in Saltaire.

Since then, he has trained in some of the world's most progressive and sought after professional kitchens, from Michelin-starred Noma, The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds and The Box Tree Ilkley.

His appearance on MasterChef: The Professionals last year allowed him to showcase his leftfield style and his mastery of culinary fundamentals, impressing judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing, guest judge and two Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong as well as critics Grace Dent and Tom Parker-Bowles.

Speaking on his performance on the show, Marcus Wareing said: “Jono without a doubt is different and there’s a lot of things he’s doing; he’s pushing the boundaries.” 

Chef Jono at Vice & Virtue is open for reservations as of May 19th, with dates available through June and July.

In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall  – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 16 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 560,000 followers across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor 8th April 2021

MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 finalist Jono Hawthorne to launch first solo venture