Kino, a highly acclaimed restaurant nestled in a Grade II listed building adjacent to the Leeds Grand Theatre, has announced its imminent closure, scheduled for December 21st. The restaurant, which opened in 2022 with aspirations of becoming a culinary beacon in Leeds, cited the inability to sustain operations despite its initial success and positive reception. The announcement, delivered via a heartfelt Instagram post, expressed the management’s difficult decision to cease operations after a two-and-a-half-year run. The message conveyed gratitude to loyal patrons and the dedicated team that contributed to the restaurant’s accomplishments, including a notable Best Sustainability award at the 2024 Oliver Awards. While the closure marks the end of Kino’s chapter, the management hinted at exploring new opportunities for the grand space in the future.
The closure of Kino coincides with the departure of its head chef, MasterChef star Josh Whitehead. Whitehead, who joined Kino in 2023, played a pivotal role in elevating the restaurant’s profile and culinary offerings. His contributions extended beyond the kitchen, launching Leeds’ first Pastry Club and contributing significantly to the restaurant’s sustainability initiatives, which were recognized with the prestigious Oliver Award. Whitehead’s departure is driven by his ambition to pursue his own entrepreneurial venture, Finer Pleasures, a handmade pie company. The closure of Kino provides Whitehead the opportunity to fully dedicate his time and expertise to building his new business.
Finer Pleasures represents a culmination of Whitehead’s passion for traditional pie-making, honed through years of experience in prestigious kitchens across Leeds. The MasterChef: The Professionals 2016 semi-finalist is committed to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients in his handcrafted pies, terrines, and paté en croute. His dedication to quality and flavor was recently validated by a second-place win in a prominent pie competition, where he also secured the award for best overall flavor, further fueling his confidence in pursuing this venture.
Whitehead’s immediate plans for Finer Pleasures involve engaging with customers through various avenues, including market stalls, pop-up events, and private catering. He aims to cultivate a loyal following by offering bespoke pie orders, catering services, and showcasing his culinary prowess at pop-up events, including specialized Christmas pie orders. The long-term vision for Finer Pleasures includes establishing a brick-and-mortar pie shop, allowing Whitehead to fully realize his dream and share his passion with a wider audience.
Whitehead’s culinary journey is marked by a dedication to continuous learning and collaboration. His first Pastry Club event under the Finer Pleasures banner took place on December 9th, featuring a collaboration with renowned pastry chef Calum Franklin. This collaborative spirit is a testament to Whitehead’s commitment to pushing culinary boundaries and sharing his knowledge and passion with fellow chefs and industry professionals. This dedication to collaboration and innovation bodes well for the future of Finer Pleasures, suggesting a dynamic and evolving approach to pie-making.
In conclusion, the closure of Kino, while a loss to the Leeds dining scene, marks a new chapter for both the restaurant’s management and its departing head chef, Josh Whitehead. While the future of Kino’s physical space remains uncertain, the restaurant’s legacy of sustainability and innovative cuisine will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. Meanwhile, Whitehead’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for traditional pie-making, embodied in Finer Pleasures, promise a delightful addition to the culinary landscape of Leeds. His dedication to quality, local sourcing, and collaborative initiatives suggest a promising future for Finer Pleasures, offering pie enthusiasts a unique and satisfying culinary experience.
