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Chef Kevin Thornton Announces Closure of Thornton’s Restaurant

One year after the loss of his Michelin star, chef Kevin Thornton has announced the closure of his restaurant Thornton’s, on Dublin’s St Stephen’s Green. The renowned restaurant, located within Dublin’s five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel, is set to serve their final customers at the end of October.

The news will come as a shock to loyal customers and those in the restaurant industry, who over the past 26 years have followed the chef’s distinguished career. With a personal passion for nature and foraging, Thornton is highly regarded for his ability to transform local, seasonal produce into sophisticated, innovative dishes that tell the story of Ireland.

Just as shocking was the loss of the highly coveted Michelin star in September 2015, the chef had held the accolade for 20 years prior to this. At the time, Thornton said that it remained to be seen what the implications of the loss would be.

Quoted as saying he was “baffled and sad” by the loss of the star, the final decision to close the restaurant was provoked by the expiration of Thornton’s lease in the Fitzwilliam Hotel in July. At this point Kevin and his wife and business partner Muriel made the decision to go in a different direction, after being unable to find a suitable alternative and affordable premises.

Rather than open a new restaurant, the esteemed chef will offer cooking masterclasses from his Rathmines home. He will also focus on developing a corporate and wedding catering enterprise.

The Dublin restaurant is said to have been struggling in recent years prior to the loss of the Michelin star. The most recent accounts from Conted Limited, trading as Thornton’s Restaurant, for the 16 months to the end of 2014 show the firm had accumulated losses of €25,750. This loss was an improvement from the losses of €79,260 at the end of the previous period.

In the same period, Kevin and Muriel Thornton were paid €222,541, rising from €173,694 in the previous period.

The restaurant is set to close on October 29th, which gives customers time to use vouchers, and others the chance to dine at Thornton’s for one last time.

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