MasterChef's Kenny Tutt slammed by staff after closure

Employees at Pitch Restaurant in Worthing said they are owed one month’s wages and only found out the restaurant was closing through an article online.

The restaurateur, who won the BBC cooking show in 2018, announced on July 31 that his business was closing that day because of “current economic struggles” just three months after closing Bayside Social for similar reasons.

Staff fear they will not receive their monthly wages from June 23 to July 23 which for some is said to be £2,000. They also said they are owed for the eight days up until July 31.

Pitch restaurant on the day it closed, July 31 (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

They have accused the 41-year-old of being “more worried about his image and celebrity persona” than his staff for not telling them before the closure was announced online.

One worker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Staff are really shocked. One staff member is struggling with their mental health.

“The fact we found out from a news story before the meeting is disgusting and shows Kenny was more worried about his image and celebrity persona that he’s giving over than the wellbeing and mental health of his staff.

“A lot of the staff would have been very happy if he just paid out the month he owed and said he couldn’t afford the redundancy. This would have been the honourable thing.

“But the fact he spent time working with the press for a story to go out at 9am on a Monday morning that was basically set out to make people feel sorry for him before the staff had a chance to realise what the issue was, it was really rude and unfair.

“The whole thing was handled in the completely wrong way.”

The worker said 21 people were employed, full time or part time

News of the closure was first announced on catering website Restaurant.co.uk just before 9am last Monday.

Staff who thought they were coming into work as normal said they were informed by Kenny after this.

In a statement in the Restaurant.co.uk article, Kenny said that it had “taken every fibre” to keep Pitch going.

He added: “I would also like to thank my staff. We have a great team here and I will do everything I can to support them to remain in the hospitality industry.”

Kenny, who works with wife and business partner Lucy, was granted permission last month for a Patty Guy burger restaurant in the Dome Cinema in Worthing.

Patty Guy, which offers smash burgers, fries and milkshakes, also has outlets in Brighton’s Shelter Hall and Hastings.

Kenny Tutt won MasterChef in 2018 before opening Pitch in May 2019

“We had gone above and beyond for them,” said the worker.

“Staff are disappointed and a lot of us feel concerned that speaking out will ruin our professional careers in Worthing. Everyone knows everyone in catering.

“The staff were not informed fully. We set up a group chat where staff were helping each other in where they can get work but also food. We live in a day and age where money is not as available, it’s a cost of living crisis.

“Staff members have borrowed from high-interest loans, others have had their partners take on seven-day weeks working and others are using food banks.

“To let staff work after the pay period on July 23 and then expect to keep going to July 31... They’ve also not given over the tips to staff which are given at the end of each month.”

Kenny Tutt told The Argus "the team will be paid in full" and he was doing all he could to make that happen sooner.

He said: "The statutory amount is £643 per week which will cover wages. All holiday pay and notice pay will also be paid. Claims will be made for any lost tronc (tips) also.

"I can assure you that we have been in contact with all of our team and any team who advised us they couldn’t make the meeting on the day were informed of the business closure personally on the Monday. 

"I understand this is a difficult time for all people involved and we have done everything in our power to reach out to local businesses in need of good staff and assisted in their re-employment.

"However most of the team have been employed at a new site which is opening in August. I have spoken personally to several of the team to give some reassurance wherever possible.

"As a business we were trying whatever possible to stay afloat including thoroughly exploring the administration route meaning the business could continue.

"When we learnt this was not possible we quickly called the meeting with our team. The interview with Restaurant was recorded and released on the same day.

"I can assure you that my public image was very low on the agenda when communicating the closure of our family business which had brought joy to many over the last five years.

"Patty Guy is not a new business and we have been running and developing Patty Guy since early 2021.

"This is a completely different model with its own team and it’s important to make clear this business started operating post-Covid meaning it didn’t have the hardships and debts faced by all hospitality businesses set up pre-Covid. 

"We have been in contact personally with all suppliers to inform them of the situation and work together for the best solutions possible.

"We first hand experienced the change in trading conditions on the high street in the last few months. Bookings reduced by over 65 to 70 per cent due to the very real cost of living crisis.

"This along with the continuing rising costs of a large four-storey building. Our electricity bill alone was £5,000 last month just to give some context of the rising costs we have endured."