According to The Sun , Chef Casey Thompson, known for her appearances on “Top Chef” and “Food Fighters,” has announced the closure of her Wine Country restaurant, Folktable, in Sonoma after just four years. In an emotional Instagram post, Chef Casey thanked her loyal customers for supporting the restaurant throughout its journey and for being a part of its success.
The post read, “With gratitude and a touch of sadness, we announce the closing of our doors. Thank you for being a part of our journey, for sharing countless memories, and for supporting us through the years. It’s been our pleasure to serve this community, and we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you who helped make our dreams a reality. We will carry these memories with us, and we hope you will too.”
Thompson also urged followers to support the staff, who will be affected by the closure. Folktable, known for its terrace setting and dishes like chicken fat-butter rice with Dungeness crab and beef tartare over hash browns, earned the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction for four consecutive years, a mark of quality and good value in the culinary world.
Casey began her career in Texas before opening Aveline in San Francisco and eventually earning recognition on “Top Chef,” where she was voted “Fan Favorite” and finished as a runner-up in the third season.
Other Restaurant Closures by Celebrity Chefs
Thompson isn’t the only chef to announce a restaurant closure recently. In the UK, chef Mark Hix revealed that his Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis will close its doors on December 7 after 16 years. Hix, a winner of The Great British Menu in 2007, cited challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and business pressures as reasons for the closure. He expressed, “If you’re going to stop doing something, you should always go out on a high,” as he announced the decision with a heavy heart.
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TGI Friday’s and Other Restaurant Closures
In addition to celebrity chef closures, restaurant chains are also feeling the pressure. TGI Friday’s recently revealed it is closing 49 of its locations, reducing the number of restaurants to 164. This follows a trend of closures for the 59-year-old chain, with nearly 100 locations shuttered in recent months due to financial struggles. Reports indicate TGI Friday’s may exit cities including Ohio, Buffalo, and New York.
The closures of both individual celebrity-owned restaurants and major chains reflect the ongoing challenges in the restaurant industry, including the lingering impacts of the pandemic and evolving customer habits.
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