Chef Gary Usher took to social media this week to issue a harsh warning as he fears his award-winning Burnt Truffle restaurant in the Wirral may have to close if it doesn’t see an increase in diners.
Posting on social media site X Usher said:
“Feel daft putting something so serious in a post…Unless people start using Burnt Truffle, I will have to close it. If you’re in Heswall or Wirral in general please spread the word. I’m tired of doing videos full of doom and gloom but this is the reality. We’ve been open in Heswall nearly ten years. The kitchen has been awarded two AA Rosettes and I don’t think the food has ever been so good. We also do a simple great value menu with beef ragu rigatoni and relatable things. We’ve just had a full set of new furniture. We still love Burnt. If it’s not to be it’s not to be and we will never give up but if people don’t come it obviously doesn’t work. Appreciate this looks desperate and perhaps a bit needy but we just aren’t getting enough people in to cover the costs of being open. If you would be upset if Burnt Truffle closed please help us spread the word we are still open & bloody good at what we do. Thank you.”
Burnt Truffle in Heswall was Usher’s second venue, having opened Sticky Walnut in Hoole in 2011 on a budget that meant he had to choose between a combi-oven or new tables and chairs. Burnt Trufle opened in 2015 and was the first venue opened using his now signature crowdfunding method. He has since used crowdfunding to open a further 4 venues – Hispi, Wreckfish, Pinion and Kala, where he raised an incredible £100k in just 11 hours.