Aldo Zilli is to close his Brighton restaurant less than one year after opening, after apparently being told he can no longer serve fresh fish and pasta there.
The TV chef claimed myhotel, who own the complex in which Zilli Brasserie is situated, instructed him to cease using fresh fish and pasta in his traditional Italian dishes.
Zilli said: “My restaurants have always been built on the foundation of quality fresh ingredients - fish and prime Italian ingredients. Myhotel wanted to stop serving some of these ingredients including fish and fresh pasta; consequently I have exercised my option to part company with the myhotel group.”
A spokesperson for the hotel chain however refuted Zilli’s claims, commenting that “health and well-being is our highest priority and we want to support the local market and the use of fresh produce. We do wish Aldo well for the future.”
The neighbouring Zilli Cafe was forced to close in February this year after a drop off in trade. Both premises have now been taken over by catering firm Company of Cooks who will open a new modern British and European dining concept, the Cup cafe and Table restaurant, in the next fortnight.
Zilli will now seek another property in the Brighton area at which to open an independent restaurant, after living and working in the area since Zilli Brasserie launched last June.