Anna Hansen leaves The Modern Pantry after ten years

Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox

Deputy Editor 20th June 2019
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The executive chef of The Modern Pantry, Anna Hansen will be leaving The Modern Pantry after eight years, to, in her words, "explore other opportunities"

The chef, whose Canadian and New-Zealand origins have defined the Clerkenwell restaurant's style and approach to cooking since it was launched under her authority in 2008, will be ceding her place to head chef Robert McLeary. 

She said: "I feel very comfortable leaving The Modern Pantry in the extremely capable hands of my good friend Robert. He 

The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell

has been with me since the very beginning and knows the business inside out so I’m sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.” 

“I can’t thank the loyal customers of The Modern Pantry enough for making it the incredible success that it is today. I have no doubt that the future is still bright for the restaurant and the next 10 years will be just as exciting as the last."

Meanwhile,  co-owner of The Modern Pantry Des Gunewardena, 

expressed his regret at seeing Anna go, but excitement for the future and that he hoped the restaurant would continue to flourish with Rob at the helm.

“I’ll be very sad to see Anna leave The Modern Pantry. She is a uniquely talented chef and businesswoman and she should be proud of what she has created. I wish her the best of luck in her future projects, which I’m sure will be huge successes." 

In 2015, Anna Hansen launched another branch of The Modern Pantry, also serving antipodean and international small plates, but due to financial pressures it was forced to close a mere two years later. 

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