Launay’s restaurant in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire bring back former head chef Andy Fowler to lead the team for reopening

A soon-to-reopen restaurant’s new head chef will be returning home to the venue where he started his career at the age of just 15.

Andy Fowler started as a pot washer at Launay’s Restaurant at Edwinstowe – which closed on New Year’s Day after its owners wanted to take a step back as they approach retirement – and now returns to craft the outlet’s new menu in time for its relaunch.

New owners Adam and Tina Wade have now taken the restaurant on and plan to reopen it on March 8.

They have brought Andy back as their executive chef to lead the kitchen team.

Finding a passion for fine cuisine during his days at the restaurant, Andy trained as a chef under the mentorship of former owner Alain Launay — working his way up in the kitchen to finish as the restaurant’s head chef before leaving in August 2023.

A spokesman from the restaurant said Andy has a passion for creating exquisite dishes, using seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers

“We are excited that Andy is returning to the restaurant, and he is busy creating the new a la carte and events menus which will be released shortly,” said the spokesman.