A top chef closes his Michelin-awarded restaurant after losing his sense of taste and smell due to Covid.
Pots simmer and pans sizzle in the kitchens, but Mark Sebastian Fisher can’t personally taste the dishes before serving customers because he can’t tell how good or bad they are.
He should ask his wife Michelle or the staff to do it for him.
Now Sebastians Restaurant With Rooms, in Oswestry, Shropshire, is closing after the last meals are served on New Year’s Eve.
Sebastians has enjoyed two AA rosettes, two forks in the Michelin Guide, coveted spots in food guides including The Good Food Guide and five star reviews on Trip Advisor.
“I’ve lost all sense of taste and smell because of Covid and now I’m dependent on other family members and staff before we send food away,” he said.
He and his wife Michelle decided it was time to step down, but the bed and breakfast continues as usual.
Sebastians Restaurant With Rooms (pictured), in Oswestry, Shropshire, closes after the last meals are served on New Year’s Eve after Chef Mark Sebastian Fisher lost his sense of taste
Sebastians has enjoyed two AA rosettes, two forks in the Michelin Guide, a spot in The Good Food Guide and five star reviews on Trip Advisor
“We’re 33 here, next year I’ll be 55,” says Mark, who trained with top chefs in France and Switzerland.
“Our three children have been working here practically since they were born, and they’re at a time when they’re all in full-time jobs, and we want them to do their own thing.
“The cost for restaurants will be crippling next year, so I think you’ll find a lot of restaurants closing.”
He said there is a chance the restaurant will reopen at a later date, but now is the time to slow down.
Sebastians is now fully booked until the end of the year and has a waiting list of about 150 people.
As of New Years, the restaurant will no longer open weekly and will only offer bed and breakfast.
In a message to customers, the couple said: ‘The restaurant has doubled in size, along with the courtyard and the addition of bedrooms, all in keeping with the building’s history dating back to the 17th century.
A wonderful seafood platter offered at Sebastians including mussels, oysters, rab, king prawns, langoustine and lobster
Left: Popular appetizer of warm lavender-glazed duck served with pressed pears and fennel puree. Right: A desert offered at Sebastians
“Breakfasts, French bistro lunches and dinners, menus written in French, Christmas hampers, seafood extravaganzas for Sebastians outside, in marquees, on trains and in more recent times even from the back of our car. We were lucky enough to try it all.
“We have also had the pleasure of welcoming thousands of guests to our restaurant, many of whom have returned more than once to share in their celebrations, whether it be for milestone birthdays, a wedding anniversary or simply for a special treat.
“However, we have decided that the time is right to slow down a bit. Our children, who have increasingly become part of Sebastians in recent years, are now out of college and starting their careers outside of Oswestry.
‘Especially in recent years we have also shown how important it is to take a little more time for ourselves.
‘From the new year, our restaurant will no longer be open weekly.
“We just offer lodging, breakfast and the occasional restaurant event year-round.”
The restaurant is fully booked through New Year’s Eve, with a cancellation list in effect, but will stop offering its usual five-course menu on Friday, December 23.
Mark and Michelle added: ‘On New Year’s Eve we close the year with a special eight-course menu,
“We love what we do and are so grateful for all the support we’ve had over the past 33 years.
“We look forward to being part of your special occasions in the coming months and offering the ‘Sebastians Experience’ in a slightly different way.”
Customers and the local community have taken to Facebook to say goodbye to the restaurant and share memories of their visits.
Sally Stewart wrote: ‘I’ve only been there once and it was lovely, I’ve tried many times to get a table but you’re always fully booked which is frustrating but also great for business.
‘I’m sure you will be sorely missed as there are few fine dining establishments in Oswestry. Enjoy your half pension.’
Deb Lovell said, “Thank you for taking care of us for the past 20 years.
It has been and will remain our favorite place to celebrate with loved ones at special moments in our lives. We are curious about your plans for the future.’