George Ryle to quit Lambeth's Garden Cafe

The Yorkshire-born chef, who has also worked at Primeur and Padella in the capital, is returning to his home county to pursue his dream of opening his own restaurant.

Ryle launched the new-look café restaurant with chef Harry Kaufman in 2017 following an extensive refurbishment of the museum and took full control of the menu following Kaufman’s departure in January 2020.

“I feel incredibly proud of what has been achieved at the Garden Museum since I opened the cafe with Harry back in 2017,” says Ryle.

“Back then, we saw an opportunity to do something super exciting in a really unique space and in the five years that followed, through a combination of hard work, great food and talented people, I believe we have created something very special.

“Myself and my family are excited to be making a move back up to Yorkshire. It’s been a tough decision, and there will certainly be a hint of sadness at leaving the cafe, for sure. But after five years as head chef, it feels like the right time to make a move and pursue my ambition to open my own restaurant in my hometown.”

Ryle is due to leave the restaurant next month.

"We’d like to offer a huge thank you to George for all he’s achieved at the Garden Café,” says Christopher Woodward, director of The Garden Museum

“From humble beginnings back in 2017, he’s firmly put the cafe on the London restaurant map, with his simple, delicious dishes, and for that we will always be grateful. We wish him all the best for his new venture in Yorkshire, where I am sure he will make a very positive mark.”