Yahoo News Huddersfield chef's response to customers ahead of 'sad' day
Huddersfield chef and restaurant owner Ben Franco says he's never been busier - but it's left him with a bittersweet feeling.
Ben, 55, who runs The Barn, a highly regarded restaurant in Almondbury, has been dealing with a sudden rush of reservations from customers, among them a friend now living in New Zealand. The restaurant has been busier ever since Ben announced plans to close the restaurant on March 31, 2025.
He told Yorkshire Live: "Since announcing our closure (date) we’ve been very busy with bookings and turning people away.
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"I advertised Valentine's night last night and we’ve sold 50% occupancy already.
"I even had a customer message me at 3.40am this morning to book a table - crazy."
Ben, who is known as the Grumpy Chef, says times have been tough in the restaurant trade and he fears friends and colleagues in the industry may be closing next year. His own decision to close came after his landlord decided not to renew the lease, but he's also ready for a job with more '9 to 5' hours rather than his usual 60-hour working weeks.
He's delighted that customers have been ringing to book reservations over the coming few months as he wants to "go out on a high." Asked about his reaction to the rush of reservations, he said: "It's both fab but also sad as the realisation the end is coming.
"A friend I recently worked with in London now lives in New Zealand and he messages me luck all the time. He even walked in the other week, as you do, for a table for one, unannounced - bless!
"So lots of love, lots of support and lots of bookings."
Ben remains unsure what the future holds for him. He fancies working Monday to Friday in a more conventional 9-5 role. He has an idea to offer 'in house dining' to clients.
He has previously appeared on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me: The Professionals, with The Barn becoming the show's first winner. He thinks 'Come Dine With B' has a nice ring to it for a forthcoming venture that will allow him to "keep my knives sharpened."
Ben also likes the idea of doing 'pop-up' food venues around Huddersfield. He joked that the sudden rush is from customers who fancy a bite of steak.
"The sudden rush is the feeling people just wanna come that last time, probably for the best peppered steak in the town."
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