Eipic head chef unveils new venture as restaurant set to close

Alex Greene, head chef at the Michelin-starred Eipic estaurant is leaving to embark on a new hospitality venture after Michael Deane revealed he will close the venue in January.

The restaurateur said the will now “readjust their customer offering” at his flagship premises at Howard Street, Belfast, to suit current market demands and changing customer preferences.

The company said it was “the end of an era for the esteemed restaurateur, who has held a Michelin star for 25 years – the longest ever in Northern Ireland and in Ireland second only to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud.”

It comes after Deanes announced the closure of bistro Deane & Decano on Lisburn Road earlier this year.

Mr Deane said: “We have reaped the benefits it has brought to our brand. Our decision to move away from this has been carefully considered and evaluated and I believe it is the right direction to take now and it’s the right time to do it.

“I want to thank all our customers and look forward to welcoming them in the New Year when we will unveil our new dining concept. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Deanes Eipic team led by chef Alex Greene and manager Bronagh McCormick who have played an important part in the success of Eipic.”

Great British Menu finalist Alex and GM Bronagh will open a new restaurant with rooms in the heart of Mourne Country, expanding their current retail business Fish & Farm’ in Newcastle.

It promises a “farm-to-plate experience with Chef Alex’s locally raised ‘de Terra Shorthorn Beef’, alongside homegrown produce from his Dundrum farm”.

Bronagh and Alex expressed their gratitude to Deanes, saying: “As we bid our farewells, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had here and what we built together at the Michelin Starred Restaurant EIPIC.

“Michael, your guidance and leadership have been an inspiration throughout our time here and we are forever thankful.”