TV restaurant winners quit pub
The winners of Raymond Blanc's TV series the Restaurant have quit and Peach Pub Company will run the Thatch in Thame, Oxfordshire, as a pub.
Jeremy and Jane Hooper (pictured) took over Eight at the Thatch in November 2007 but said they couldn't carry on because the concept they imagined didn't fit into a pub.
"We feel very disappointed that this hasn't worked out," said Jeremy Hooper.
"We feel that we did not have the chance to make our concept work in the environment of a pub.
"Having said that, we were thrilled to win the prize and we have learned a lot.
"It has not proved possible to continue at Eight at the Thatch but we have not lost our dream and still plan to start our own restaurant before too long, probably in our home county of Cornwall."
Raymond Blanc said: "I am happy that we were able to give them this chance and delighted that they have gained the experience and the confidence to start a new business.
"The past year has been very rewarding and I have enjoyed working with Jane and Jeremy."
Peach Pub Company co-founder Lee Cash was a judge on BBC2's the Restaurant and consulted on the running of the Thatch.
Series two of the Restaurant will be screened in Autumn.
