Head chef Jonny Bone to leave three-Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth
Jonny Bone has announced he is leaving his role as head chef at Core by Clare Smyth.
Jonny shared the news via Instagram, confirming he is stepping away from the three-Michelin-starred Notting Hill restaurant after more than a decade working alongside Clare Smyth MBE.
His departure marks the end of a major chapter at one of the UK’s most celebrated restaurants, where Jonny has played a key role in helping Core establish itself among the leading fine dining destinations in the country.
The announcement
Announcing the news on Instagram, Jonny paid tribute to Clare, co-owner Rob Rose, the team at Core and the wider chef community.
He said: “As I prepare to step away from my role as head chef at Core, I wanted to take a moment to thank the incredible chef community across the world.
“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside, learn from, and share experiences with so many talented people. A special thank you to Clare and Rob for their trust, support, inspiration and friendship throughout this remarkable journey.
“There are no words to describe the connection I have with them.
“I’m also deeply grateful to Nik, Gary, Alan, George, Gareth, and the many chefs, front of house, suppliers, producers, and friends who have collaborated with us through the day to day, events, dinners, and shared moments along the way you know who you are.
“The generosity, camaraderie, and passion within our industry have meant more to me than I can express. While this is goodbye for now, it is only for the short term. I look forward to seeing many of you again in the next chapter.”
Clare replied to the post, writing: “You will always be with us and us with you! Family.”
Industry reaction
Jonny’s announcement prompted messages of support from across the hospitality industry.
Tom Shepherd, chef owner of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, commented: “The best of the best, good luck brother.”
Great British Menu winner Sally Abé, who recently opened Teal by Sally Abé, added: “Good luck for what's next Jonny.”
Andreas Antona, who ran Simpsons for more than 30 years, wrote: “Good luck for the future.”
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Two-Michelin-starred chef Matt Abé commented: “Good luck JB.”
Meanwhile, Galton Blackiston, best known for his work at Morston Hall, said: “Hey Jonny, looking forward to your next exciting chapter. A real star and a top guy.”
Jonny Bone’s career
Jonny has worked with Clare for more than a decade, with his Core biography highlighting his experience in some of the world’s most respected kitchens.
Before and during his career with Clare, Jonny worked in restaurants including Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Frédéric Simonin in Paris, Geranium in Copenhagen and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York.
At Core, Jonny has been central to the restaurant’s development, working closely with producers to source ingredients and bring the stories of those suppliers into the guest experience.
His work with the kitchen team, particularly around training, development and culture, has also been an important part of Core’s success.
Core’s website described Jonny as having “personality and infectious energy”, making him “a firm favourite with guests and staff alike.”
Core by Clare Smyth
Core by Clare Smyth opened in Notting Hill in 2017 and quickly became one of the UK’s most important restaurant openings of the decade.
The restaurant earned its first Michelin star within a year of opening, before being awarded two Michelin stars in 2019 and three Michelin stars in the 2021 Michelin Guide.
Clare had previously worked as chef patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, where she became the first British woman to hold three Michelin stars.
At Core, Clare has built a restaurant focused on British produce, precise cooking and a more relaxed expression of modern fine dining.
The restaurant has become known for dishes that place familiar ingredients at the centre of the experience, backed by technical detail and close relationships with farmers, growers, fishermen and producers.
Alongside the restaurant, Clare also launched Corenucopia, a sustainable cookery school and events space connected to the wider Core philosophy, where Gary Mundi is head chef, after his work at Core.
What comes next
Jonny has not yet confirmed his next move, but his Instagram statement suggested this is not a permanent goodbye to the industry.
He said he looked forward to seeing many of those in the chef community again “in the next chapter.”
No successor has yet been announced for the head chef role at Core.
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