Kensington Street Social may be one of Kensington Street’s biggest drawcards. But while the fine dining restaurant will remain, its head chef Jason Atherton has announced his departure as of April 20. The restaurant, situated within the Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale, will continue to operate as usual until a new chef is announced in due course.

Kensington Street Social was opened by Atherton in partnership with restaurateur Loh Lik Peng of Unlisted Collection in January 2015. But Atherton’s UK-base has proved problematic to the restaurant’s requirements. “Opening Kensington Street Social with Peng was just incredible, and I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of its amazing journey. I have huge respect for the thriving food scene in Sydney and thank the local community for their continuous support and warmth.

“However, the great distance from London to Sydney has meant that I cannot devote the time that such a wonderfully positioned restaurant deserves. I know that Kensington Street Social will continue to prosper and wish my successor the very best with this special restaurant,” comments Atherton.

“Jason and I have worked together for over 10 years with restaurants in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Kensington Street Social in Sydney was the first Australian restaurant for us both and its launch has been extremely successful,” says Peng. “Jason has many outlets in other geographical locations that he is focusing on, so his departure from Kensington Street Social comes as an agreeable understanding.”

The Old Clare Hotel’s general manager Timo Bures says that fans of the restaurant need not panic about its future. “We are excited by what is to come for the restaurant. We will likely keep a similar food offering with more of a casual style of dining, but this will ultimately depend on the new chef who will not be restricted by predetermined concepts and guidelines,” he says.

While little may be known as to what is to come for Kensington Street Social, the area itself is set for a shake-up with James Vile’s Biota pop-up restaurant confirmed for June.