‘Beyond our control’ – Victor Garvey at The Midland Grand suddenly closes

Victor Garvey has quickly switched focus to a new project, saying the decision for his restaurant at The Midland Grand to suddenly close its doors was “due to circumstances beyond our control”.

American chef Victor teamed up with acclaimed hotelier and friend Harry Handelsman and moved into the iconic space earlier this year, but his time there has been suddenly cut short, running his final service this week.

Victor is chef patron of Michelin-starred SO|LA in Soho, and has previously worked at the likes of El Bulli, French Laundry, Noma and Las Vegas’s two-starred Picasso.

Explaining the reason behind his sudden exit from Midland Grand, in an exclusive interview with The Staff Canteen, Victor said: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, Victor Garvey at The Midland Grand can’t continue.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure.

“I am privileged to be able to say that all staff are being relocated between SO|LA and other outlets.

“All suppliers have been paid. All reservations have been contacted. All private events and enquiries have been redirected to SO|LA or to the Marriott.

“The silver lining in the cloud is that this is the cleanest way to be able to close down a business.”

The Midland Grand dining space at Marriott’s St Pancras Hotel has seen plenty of change over the past 12 months, with both former head chefs Patrick Powell and Charlie Crote leaving the business.

Victor could not hide his excitement when opening his restaurant there earlier this year, saying: “It's incredible. When you think about these moments in a chef's career, you only get handed a dining room of this significance and grandeur once, maybe twice if you're lucky, in your entire career.

“This is the kind of room that makes the Alain Ducasses and the Joël Robuchons of the world. And so I'm incredibly privileged and excited to be working in such a hallowed space.

“Midland Grand is one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

It is understood both the dining room and the bar area at Midland Grand will be run by the Marriott going forwards.

In February, there were fears local businesses could suffer following a fire which forced the closure of luxury hotel Chiltern Firehouse, which is situated just two miles from Midland Grand.

The Staff Canteen understands there will be no direct financial knock-ons of the closure of Victor Garvey at The Midland Grand for Victor’s other business.

Meanwhile, the chef is believed to be close to announcing his next project, which has been in the works for some time, having recently acquired the lease to a property in Marylebone, London.

TSC have contacted The Midland Grand for comment regarding the closure of Victor Garvey's restaurant.