Why is Matt Gillan leaving Pike & Pine?

Restaurateur, Mike Palmer, who is in charge of Lucky Beach Café in Brighton is closing Pike & Pine and replacing it with a Thai barbecue concept according to MCA.

Matt Gillan wins Great British Menu

The new Thai barbecue restaurant, The Lucky Khao, will see Matt Gillan, who fronted the Pike & Pine restaurant, depart to focus on other projects.

The Lucky Khao, will be launching at the St James Street in January for evening service.

Matt will move on to focus on his other projects which include his casual eating Electro Pirate which is based at the Foresters Arms in Horsham, West Sussex.

Luke Larsson will head the new Lucky Khao and will serve Northern

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Thai food, including barbecued meats and curries with alternative options including vegan and gluten-free menus.

Matt launched Pike & Pine in December 2016, he was previously head chef at The Pass restaurant at South Lodge spending a decade working at the 5-star country house hotel near Horsham, West Sussex.

Matt joined the 2 AA Rosette Camellia restaurant at South Lodge in 2006 and was given the opportunity to launch The Pass in 2008. During Matt’s tenure, The Pass has won and retained a Michelin star for five years along with 4 AA Rosettes.

In 2015 he competed in Great British Menu getting his goat main course to the banquet.

By George Heal

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