A Masterchef winner has been forced to shut one of his restaurants due to rising costs.
Kenny Tutt and his wife Lucy opened Bayside Social in July 2021, but announced on Instagram last week that they are set to close down soon less than two years later.
The beachside restaurant in Worthing, West Sussex, suffered long-lasting effects from the Covid-19 pandemic, the owners said.
Its final weekend will be April 15-16, with the couple adding that they will now focus on their other restaurant Pitch, also in Worthing, a town 10 miles west of Brighton.
Masterchef winner Kenny Tutt (pictured) and his wife Lucy are closing their seaside restaurant due to rising costs and long-lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic
The couple opened Bayside Social (pictured) in Worthing, West Sussex, in July 2021
A post on their Instagram a week ago read: ‘We’re sad to say that we will be closing Bayside Social in a couple of weeks – our last weekend will be 15th and 16th April.
‘We have loved being at this location on the beach, but with rising costs and long-lasting effects of Covid on hospitality businesses, we’ve made the decision to concentrate on our other site, Pitch in Worthing, and we’re really excited for what’s yet to come.
‘A huge thank you to our customers – we look forward to seeing as many of you here before we close, and hopefully at our other restaurants in the future.
‘Kenny + Lucy Tutt, and the whole Bayside Social team x.’
The pair thanked their customers and said the last days of the Bayside Social will be April 15-16, after which they will be focusing on their other Worthing restaurant, Pitch
Mr Tutt, 41, who won Masterchef in 2018, spent 20 years in banking before deciding to take up cooking and was persuaded to enter BBC cooking competition by his wife.
He wowed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his three-course meal of roast scallops and smoked cauliflower, shimeji mushroom and pancetta, followed by squab pigeon breast and bon-bon, heritage beetroot, baby turnip, spiced cherries, bread sauce and game jus, topped off with bitter chocolate, ale ice-cream, malt tuile and smoked caramel.
He later went on to be a guest judge on the hit cooking show.
Kenny Tutt, 41, won Masterchef in 2018 after stunning the judges with his three-course meal
Mr Tutt (left) went on to be a guest judge on Masterchef alongside Wahaca co-founder Thomasina Miers (middle) and fellow Masterchef winner Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed (right)
‘Bayside Social is an all-day casual dining and takeaway venue from Masterchef Champion Kenny Tutt with 180-degree views of the Worthing coastline.
Beachside Social is located in Beach Parade and is known for its brunches, relaxed atmosphere and stunning views.
The description on its website reads: ‘Located in Beach Parade, Worthing, along the stunning seafront next to Bayside Apartments.
‘We welcome our guests to a relaxed beachfront setting with a laid-back ambience.
‘A variety of choices are available at the panoramic restaurant, including a seasonal changing menu, nourishing takeaway, indoor/outdoor dining, breakfast and brunch options, as well as fantastic cocktails.’
The news of Beachside Social’s closure was met with sadness from locals in the comments of the post.
Emily Mason wrote: ‘This is such sad news and so bad for Worthing… the council should be supporting local businesses instead of crippling them with rates etc.
‘We’ve been so often lately to eat – so so sad!!’
Richard Drew said: ‘What a huge shame – b****y love Bayside.’
Customers flooded in with comments expressing their disappointment at the closure
One Instagram user said there was ‘no better place’ for a glass of rose by the beach
Another resident criticised the council for its business rates, which they said were ‘crippling’ local businesses
Commenters wished the pair luck as they move on from Bayside Social
One customer asked: ‘Where do I go for brunch now?’
Another fan of Bayside Social lamented the loss of ‘another vibrant, popular attraction’
Emily Georgina added: ‘No!! Devastating! Love the food here and there’s no better place for a glass of rose by the beach! Will be sad to see you go!’
Yasmin Govin said: ‘Noooooo wayyyy this is my favourite place in Worthing and, in my opinion, the food is far superior to Pitch.
‘I’m absolutely gutted!! Took my mum here for Mother’s Day and we were talking about sunbathing close by and using the hatch in the summer.
‘I am beyond devastated!!’
Instagram user @hazzachazza21 wrote: ‘This is bulls***. Where do I go for brunch now?’ to which Hannah Merritt replied: ‘Another vibrant, popular attraction having to close – it’s terrible!’
Bayside Social is known for its brunches, views of the coastline, and laid-back atmosphere
The seaside venue has stunning views of south coast to be enjoyed with food and drink
Kenny, 41, and Lucy Tutt run the restaurant together, as well as their other venue, Pitch
Instagram user @meshirtkits added: ‘Oh no!!!! So gutted about this. Every time my mum comes down from London it’s her fave place to watch the world go by with us.
‘So many lovely places having to close at the moment, massive luck for the next chapter.’
Worthing visitor Rachel Morgan said: ‘This is sad news, whenever we come down to Worthing we love coming here & was looking forward to the summer afternoons and evenings to come!’
Meanwhile, Bill Barker wrote: ‘This is a very sad loss for Worthing. You’ve created a fantastic destination here with a best class team. I wish Mijj and the rest of the staff good luck in the future.’
The news comes after celebrity chef Mark Hix begged for more support from his local council after they refused to keep a temporary outdoor seating area at his restaurant in Dorset.
He posted pictures of the decking area at his Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis being ripped out – and warned it may mean he has to lay off staff.
