Skye Gyngell set up the restaurant at the Richmond garden centre in 2004 after cooking for private clients following a period in London at The Dorchester with Anton Mossiman and at The French House.
A spokesperson confirmed the departure and said: "We thoroughly enjoyed working with Skye to create the outstanding food and the setting that Petersham Nurseries provides. We wish her every success in the future."
"We are now delighted to announce that highly regarded Australian chef Greg Malouf is joining the team. Greg is no stranger to Petersham Nurseries having been our guest chef on a number of occasions. Greg ran the highly successful MoMo restaurant in Melbourne, has written several award winning cookbooks and we are fortunate to have him join us at Petersham. We look forward to the next stage of Petersham Nurseries journey with Greg on board," she said.
Michelin star
Gyngell, who completed her formal training under Anne Willan at La Varenne in Paris, wrote a number of cookery books, built a media profile and won serveral awards whilst at the restaurant and was at the helm when Petersham Nurseries was awarded a Michelin star in the 2011 guide.
Richard Vines, food critic and chair of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organised by BigHospitality's sister publication Restaurant magazine, took to Twitter to say that Gyngell had enjoyed her time at the venue and was 'looking to open her own restaurant, but it's unlikely to be within the next six months.'
New head chef Malouf was born in Melbourne and after serving an apprenticeship in Australia worked in France, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong. In 1991 he set up O'Connell's restaurant in a Melbourne hotel.