Monday Bulletin: Skye Gyngell | St. JOHN | Nokx Majozi

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SKYE GYNGELL

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Skye Gyngell, who has died at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer last year. A statement provided on behalf of her family, friends and colleagues reads: “Skye was a culinary visionary who influenced generations of chefs and growers globally to think about food and its connection to the land. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy and is an inspiration to us all.” The Sydney-born chef trained at La Varenne in Paris under Anne Willan and worked at The Dorchester under Anton Mosimann, before taking up the role of head chef at Petersham Nurseries in 2004, where she won a Michelin star in 2011. She opened her own restaurant, Spring, at Somerset House in 2014 and, as culinary director at Heckfield Place, launched restaurants Marle and Hearth on the Hampshire estate in 2018. She will be remembered for her beautiful cooking, her pioneering partnership with biodynamic farm Fern Verrow, and for her staunch environmental advocacy. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues.

NOKX MAJOZI

Nokx Majozi, previously head pie maker at Holborn Dining Room, has joined Fallow as its first ever chef-in-residence. The role will see Majozi develop a regularly changing pie offering and support Fallow’s whole animal butchery programme.

CAFE KOWLOON

Fresh from launching Wonton Charlie’s in London Fields, Frank Yeung and Abhinav Malde of 6 of 1 have another new project on the go: Café Kowloon, a modern Cantonese kitchen and bar at the same address. Opens early 2026.

ST. JOHN

Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver have stepped back from day-to-day operations at St. JOHN after 31 years. Gulliver is now chair, with Henderson stepping down from the board but remaining an employee. MD Barry Milton-Cook has been appointed CEO.

• Restaurants, you have until 1 December to register for The Good Food Guide’s Restaurant Month. The campaign, running from 13 January to 13 February, is designed to drive bookings during a traditionally quiet time of year.
  
  
• Just opened: Dockley Road, a neighbourhood spot in SE1 from a female-led team that includes ex-St. JOHN chef Emily Chia and Rochelle Canteen manager Klaudia Weisz, in collaboration with Farmer Tom Jones. Don’t miss the banh mi terrine.
  
  
• The two Georges behind Gorka, George Husband and George Brown, are back at Italo in Vauxhall this December. Just three sittings a week so act fast if you want in.
  
  
• Acme Fire Cult in Dalston turns curry house for the month of January, when Andrew Clarke will cook dishes inspired by his travels in India such as pig’s head vindaloo.
  
  
• News just in: Bancone is to open its fifth and biggest site to date in the City of London in spring 2026.
  
  
• Ahead of Randall & Aubin’s 30th anniversary in 2026, chef Ed Baines has collaborated with truffle queen Meera Cortesi on a truffle menu at the Soho restaurant, available  25-27 November. Specials include Welsh rarebit with shaved white truffle.
  
  
• Henry Harris’ ‘Mâchon Lyonnais’ at The Three Compasses in Farringdon on 29 November sounds unmissable. The traditional long Lyonnais breakfast of pâté, cervelle de canut, tripe etc kicks off at 11am. Cocktails by Three Sheets. £50pp.
  
  
• In residence at The Globe Tavern until spring 2026: Tom Geoffrey’s Cambodian-inspired Barang, serving the likes of venison laab with pork fat and Khmer spices.
  
  
  

WHAT WE’RE READING

Christmas Gift Guide 2025: 50 Great Gift Ideas for Food-Lovers: The Good Food Guide

St John’s founders are stepping back. What comes next for the trailblazing nose-to-tail restaurant?: FT Weekend

Hugh Corcoran’s Ten Commandments for Dining: The Pass“

Why I host a supper club for sex workers”: HTSI

THE DUMBWAITER

Amy Poon was in a bit of a spot last week when she was short a kitchen porter at her newly opened restaurant Poon’s at Somerset House. Step forward two-Michelin-starred knight in shining armour, Andrew Wong, who generously offered to wash up. “He might be the most over-qualified KP in town,” says Poon.

News of Bubala’s good vibes must have reached Hollywood: long-time best buddies Leonardo di Caprio and Tobey Maguire chose the Soho branch for supper last week. To Bistro Freddie last Friday to celebrate the Shoreditch restaurant’s second birthday. Guests included Elliot Hashtroudi, Jon Spiteri and Ed McIlroy.

All eyes are on Sloane Square right now. Ralph Lauren has a Christmas pop-up bar in the Chelsea square and there’s an even more exciting announcement coming very, very soon too… To Tomos Parry’s 40th birthday party on Saturday night at 180 Studios where Margot Henderson, Denise Harris and Angela Hartnett showed us all how it was done on the dance floor. As for Parry’s secret to looking so youthful at 40, the Dumbwaiter can only ascribe it to all that turbot.