Shaun Searley is moving on from Quality Chop House, opening a place of his own

After 13 years at Quality Chop House, the chef who has been a huge part of its success is moving on. Announced on Instagram today, Shaun Searley will be leaving the restaurant in August. 

Searley was one of the driving forces behind the reopening of the restaurant back in 2012, joining with Will Lander & Josie Stead. Although the restaurant has been around for over 150 years, it had been through a bad patch before their takeover, even becoming a meatballs restaurant for a brief spell. There was a real worry that it would never regain its glory, until the new team came along.

Almost immediately after the relaunch, it quickly became regarded as one of the best restaurants in London again, serving up an ever-changing menu of modern British food. There have been many signature dishes over the years, from their pork pies (which we still really miss being able to buy at the shop) to the much-imitated but never beaten confit potatoes. 

Although Searley is moving on, it's still business as usual for Quality Chop House, with QCH veteran Nathan Chapman taking on the head chef spot. Meanwhile, Shaun Searley is getting ready to open a restaurant of his own, so all eyes will be on that as one of the hottest openings of the year.