A fine-dining restaurant in Edinburgh has announced it will be closing its doors next month.
The award winning 21212 has confirmed that it will close its doors on April 1 following the tragic passing of Edinburgh chef Paul Kitching. Paul ran the restaurant with his partner Katie O'Brien until he suddenly died last December, aged 61.
The pair opened 21212 in 2009 in Edinburgh's Royal Terrace and were awarded a Michelin star just six months after opening. The restaurant also notched up four AA rosettes and best new restaurant in the UK. Paul also received the Prince Philip medal for services to the catering industry.
READ NEXT- Edinburgh reveller banned from nightclub after glassing woman in row over a seat
However, Katie, the director of 21212, has now issued an update for the restaurant's future following Paul's passing.
In a post to customers, she said: "It is with great sadness that we have unfortunately taken the decision to close the restaurant at 21212. Out last day of service will be Saturday April 1 2023.
"The passing of Paul has devastated all the team, and the passion that runs through every fibre of the restaurant is not as evident as when it was when he was alive - to us that is unacceptable to his memory."
The restaurant team will be in touch with anyone that has a booking after the closing date and the rooms at the restaurant will be available for those looking for a city location.
Originally brought up in Gateshead, Paul began his career in a Latin American restaurant in Newcastle before moving to York to work as a commis chef and discovering his passion and talent for cooking.
He moved into Michelin kitchens in his early twenties including Restaurant 74 and Gidleigh Park before achieving his own star with his first restaurant Juniper.
Back in December after the tragic news broke, tributes poured in from chefs. Mark Poynton who worked with Paul at Juniper posted in December: "What a man, absolutely heart broken is an understatement, had an amazing time learning from Paul at Juniper."
Dean Banks, Masterchef finalist and fellow Edinburgh restaurant owner, also shared his condolences on social media and paid tribute to a 'true inspiration'.
He said: "A true inspiration to thousands of chefs who passed through his doors and to many more. Paul taught me there are no rules in cooking. Lemon tart with Chicken, STP with venison are a few that I mention a lot. Paul will live on through his cooking and teaching.
"Paul was my last head chef before I went out on my own and was truly part of creating me and my style. My condolences to all who loved him and to all who look up to him as one of the greats. He will be missed dearly."
READ NEXT-
West Lothian shopping centre bans teenagers from entering on Fridays 'to stop trouble'
Edinburgh gangland killer gives Snapchat tour of cushy jail cell with two Xboxes
Edinburgh farm goes up in flames as fire crews race to battle blaze
Plans to turn Edinburgh home into holiday let 'to be rejected' after neighbours complain
Edinburgh cyclist in Princes Street crash as police and paramedics race to scene
