Pidgin to ‘take its final flight’ as founders James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy announce closure

In an Instagram post​​, the pair confirmed that the east London restaurant's final service would take place on 18 August, with the site set to be taken on by Pidgin's current head chef Drew Snaith and ex-manager Hannah Kowalski, who will relaunch the space as Sesta next month.

“Pidgin will take its final flight on Sunday 18 August and we will bid you all a very fond and grateful farewell,” the post reads.

“There are inevitably too many people to thank, too many highlights to mention, too many dishes to recall, so for now we will say a huge thank you to the current team, who have made Pidgin as good as it’s ever been, and to you, for all of your support over the years.”

Opened in 2015, Pidgin grew out of the success of Ramsden and Herlihy’s first venture, London supper club Secret Larder in Holloway, north London.

The restaurant has famously never repeated a dish on its weekly-changing menu and has gained a reputation as an incubator, with previous head chefs including Adolfo De Cecco and Elizabeth Haigh.

The latter attracted a Michelin star while cooking at Pidgin.

“Many people dream of opening a restaurant,” Ramsden and Herlihy continues.

“Not many dream of closing one. So while we’re sad to put a full-stop on this chapter, we are excited and reassured that two brilliant people will be realising their own dream: 52 Wilton Way will be left in the enormously talented, creative, and fun hands of current head chef Drew Snaith, and ex-Pidgin manager Hannah Kowalski, who will wave a magic wand and transform the restaurant into a new incarnation, Sesta. We’ll see you there.”

More details on Sesta are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.