Simon and Rena Gueller to sell The Box Tree in Ilkley

Chef Simon Gueller and his wife Rena have placed The Box Tree on the market after 15 years running it.

The restaurant opened in 1962, with former head chefs including Marco Pierre White and Michael Truelove. It has been a staple of the Yorkshire Dining scene, widely seen as one of the region's top restaurants.

It held a Michelin star for 14 years until it lost in in September 2018. Simon had stepped away from the stove until then, but losing the accolade spurred him to get back in the kitchen.

Earlier this year, he named Michael Carr head chef of the restaurant - who will remain there as new owners take over.

The couple told The Yorkshire Post:

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"After over 35 years in the Yorkshire restaurant scene we are looking forward to taking some time to spend with our family and some well-earned holidays. With a new grandchild on the way we felt now was the right time to engage Christie & Co to find the right person to take the business forward."

"We are very excited to see how the Box Tree and the events side of the business progress and we are happy to support the transition in any way. We have a wonderful team of staff in situ, not least Michael Carr, our head chef, Michelle Hudson-Renton, who heads up the events side of the business and Chris Stapleton, our restaurant manager, as well as a dedicated team both front of house and in the kitchen, so any new owner will benefit from an experienced and highly motivated team."

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