Farmer owed £9k by celebrity chef

A Denbighshire farmer who supplied lamb and beef to a celebrity chef fears she could lose more than £9,000 after his restaurants went into administration.

Daphne Tilley said the money would be a "huge dent" in finances for her Henllan-based Elwy Valley Welsh Lamb.

She called on the chef, London-based Tom Aikens, to look after his small suppliers by paying them.

Two restaurants were sold to TA Holdco Limited. A spokeswoman said she could not comment on sheep farm payments.

The restaurants, Tom Aikens and Tom's Kitchen, were jointly owned by Michelin-starred chef Mr Aikens.

"We've looked after him, and he's obviously decided he's not going to look after us"

Farmer Daphne Tilley

Both will continue to trade after the management buy-out by TA Holdco Ltd (TAH), which was funded by a private investor.

However, Mrs Tilley said she is one of many small suppliers now wondering whether they will be paid.

She said she is owed between £9,000 and £10,000.

She said: "It's irritating because I should have noticed the signs a few months ago when cheques weren't forthcoming.

"I had a cheque for nearly £5,000 signed by Tom Aiken, which bounced.

"We supply lots of chefs, including Jamie Oliver and Richard Corrigan, and we have a wonderful relationship with them.

"Michelin-starred chefs should behave better than this. Tom Aikens likes to champion the small supplier, but bouncing cheques is not the way to support them.

"He should be paying us off before any other creditors.

"This is a wonderful industry, it's just a pity some people are allowed to behave like this."

'Continued growth'

Mrs Tilley said she had no idea whether she would be paid, but had been told by Mr Aikens a meeting of creditors would be held.

A TAH spokeswoman said: "TAH's acquisition will facilitate the continued growth and development of the Tom Aikens brand and restaurants."

The spokeswoman said the restaurants were previously owned by a group of private investors including Tom Aikens.

Mr Aikens added: "I am very excited about the future because I will now be able to spend more time developing the business, in and out of the kitchen.

"My suppliers have been very supportive of me over 15 years and I look forward to working with them in our new business".

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