Gordon Ramsay alumnus takes over 30-year old Cambridge restaurant

The couple acquired the Chesterton Road property after securing a £300,000 funding package from NatWest. Some of the cash will be used to refurbish the interior for a spring re-opening.

Head chef and co-owner Carter cut his teeth working in numerous Michelin star kitchens, including Gordon Ramsay’s Maze and Hambleton Hall.

Olivier is an experienced restaurant manager, and will run the front-of-house at the 22-cover restaurant.  

Offering a lunchtime set menu and evening tasting menu alongside an all-day a la carte option, the restaurant will favour ingredients sourced from local Cambridgeshire producers.

The former Victorian townhouse has been a restaurant for 30 years.

“Restaurant 22 opened three decades ago and we are really excited to be taking the helm of a historic bit of Cambridge,” says Olivier.

“We hope to preserve its heritage while adding our own touches to appeal to both local diners and tourists.”

Restaurant 22 will be taking bookings from 24 March.

The couple are taking over the business from previous owner Armando Tommaso, who sold the restaurant as he felt it was “time to move on”.

Tommaso is now considering roles outside of the restaurant industry.