The Leeds Kitchen

Following the shock closure of the Alea Casino and the Leeds Kitchen on Monday I have been
in talks with the owners(London Clubs International) to understand in full the circumstances and the decision making process
behind this action. As this process continues I will keep everyone up to date with any news, especially my loyal and dedicated team who have worked so hard to create such a wonderful, vibrant and successful restaurant, and of course to
all of you wonderful restaurant goers who have supported us and helped us achieve all that we have over
the last couple of years.

Thank you for your support and apologies to everyone affected by this !

James

As you maybe aware the Leeds Kitchen sadly closed due to circumstances out of my control. I was assured that everyone who had made reservations would be informed, which a large percentage of people were, but sadly some people were not. I do thank you for bringing this to my attention and I can only apologise on my behalf for any inconvenience and upset caused. Please contact leedsenquiries@aleacasinos.com who will respond to your enquiry and refund any vouchers that have been purchased for Leeds Kitchen. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for your custom over the years, I was hugely passionate about Leeds Kitchen and its team and it is unfortunate that it has come to an end. J

  • Carla

    Hi James,

    What an awful way to start the week this must have been! I still can’t believe it and it must have been such a shock to you and all those you have worked with at the Leeds Kitchen.
    It is unbelievable that London Casinos closed the place down without any consultation and I hope that your talks to them have shed some light on the whole situation. You really don’t need to apologise for a decision that was totally taken out of your hands. It must be heartbreaking for you to see this wonderful restaurant that was going from strength to strength shut…just like that. There are just no words for it.
    Thanks for keeping us updated as many of us are living through this nightmare with you and the guys at the Leeds Kitchen who have become friends to us.
    I hope you can re-open the restaurant somewhere and we will be there again, enjoying the wonderful food & lovely service we have always had at the Leeds Kitchen.

    Love,
    Carla xxx

    • samantha

      Hi Carla its Marie, from facebook i’m just getting used to using new website so when it asked for user name i didn’t realise that i could use my own so i used the name of my budgie who still wolf whistles at James & yes i still have the 2 mad cats rub the tv whenever he is on.

      • http://www.facebook.com/carla.gardiner Carla Gardiner

        Hi Marie, good to know you have found this blog. I think a lot of us are still getting used to the website, but I think it looks great. I like the feature that updates James’ tweets on this, especially the latest one with the link to the RAC club magazine. Nice read & pictures :)

  • June

    Hey Ho shit happens. It all seemed to going too well. Maybe this will bring you down to earth a bit and make you realise that you are a chef, not some deity brought here to grace us with your presence. Learn some humility, stop promoting yourself on television and start getting back to basics. Heed this lesson, before the wheels fall off the rest of your antics.

  • http://twitter.com/sewingyorkie June Clewley

    Can assure everyone I did not write previous comment..it is not something I would think never mind write,as most people know.
    I am devastated at what happened to you ,your team and most of all the staff of LK and indeed Alea itself..I feel very strongly at how it was done with seemingly no regard to staff and customers alike [and you and the Bird owner!],It seems such a shame that I couldn’t say goodbye to the staff who had become close friends[indeed like a second family.Maybe one day we will understand better.
    Hope you will one day open another restaurant somewhere [hopefully near by!] so that we can continue trying your wonderful food.
    June C XX

  • http://www.facebook.com/hjfmassey Helen Fairclough Massey

    Can someone please advise whether the vouchers my elderly mother in law bought me the week before the Leeds Kitchen closed still have any value? My birthday was 5th March. I would be grateful if someone could advise what I can do. Thanks Helen

    • http://twitter.com/sewingyorkie June Clewley

      How sorry I am you missed out on Leeds Kitchen.Not sure what vouchers they were ,The page for Alea says if any enquiries contact Leeds enquiries @aleacasinos.com. Hope this helps .x

      • http://www.facebook.com/hjfmassey Helen Fairclough Massey

        Hi June, thanks for your help. I emailed that address on 6th March. Guess what? Not even an acknowledgment. So, trying to think of other ways to get answers.! Thanks anyway

    • Beverley Wing

      Hi Helen. Did you get your vouchers sorted? Who were they with? Try calling the voucher company. Mine was from TravlelZoo. They refunded the cost immediately. Very impressed! Which is more than I can say for Leeds Kitchen, who never even bothered to ring and cancel my booking – I travelled from East Yorkshire for my birthday treat, having booked only a week before, to find it all locked up. Wasted trip. Great birthday! Not! Thanks, James!

      • http://www.facebook.com/hjfmassey Helen Fairclough Massey

        Hi Beverley, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately they were bought directly with the Leeds Kitchen! Not great

  • Patrick Canniffe

    James, how does one get a recipe to you so that you can try it for possible inclusion on your shows or in your books?

  • Rick

    Having booked a meal for my wife’s 50th birthday (she used to be a huge fan!) and left a mobile number, I was slightly disappointed that nobody rang/text to inform me the restaurant was closed. This is not just poor business practice but simply rude. James – Get a grip!

  • disqus_3kBxxm9Zqd

    hi james i am a big fan of urs and i know u can sort all this out its not u that has to appologise its the hotel that should but u keep up the great work and i will hopefully meet u soon

    love chelle x

  • Glenda

    We had a similar experience last Saturday; my husband having booked 6 weeks beforehand by phone, leaving all his contact details, said he thought it was strange not being phoned to confirm the booking… We drove up form London, booked into our the Malmaison, then walked in the rain, only to find the casino and restaurant in darkness. Very disappointed and hungry… and wet. We agree; very poor professional practice and RUDE, when it just takes a phone call.

  • disqus_hQ2hswTiqH

    I have not read this blog before today but am appalled at some of the messages on here. Maybe some of you ought to stop and think how James might be feeling before hurling the insults. If the place has been closed up perhaps it is not possible to get hold of booking information and telephone numbers in order to call anyone?
    You may have missed out on a meal or some vouchers but some people will be much more affected so show some empathy and compassion before being so rude.
    Sorry to butt in but am disappointed people can be so nasty at a time like this.
    Steph

  • samantha

    I wish everyone who worked there good luck in the future for finding a new job which is not going to be easy at this moment in time but i am sure you will receive fantastic references off James.

  • http://www.facebook.com/carla.gardiner Carla Gardiner

    Thanks for the update and with you I hope that everyone who had vouchers will now have been compensated. I still miss the restaurant as I am sure you and the whole team do as well x

  • Phil

    The sooner James Martin disappears into obscurity the better. The most inept cook/presenter. Can’t even speak properly, or to use his lingo, “proper”. How long is his contract with the BBC and which idiot signed him up? Can’t they get rid of him? This is indeed a case of total license money waste. Doesn’t it just grate on you the way he pronounces show…………….sherrrr

    • Carla Gardiner

      Phil, 3 million+ people disagree with you when they watch Saturday Kitchen every week. If you don’t like James and don’t want to watch it, then don’t!!! It really is that simple!