31st March 2019
MasterChef finalist Larkin Cen has ended his partnership with Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, to focus on his Woky Ko concept.
Cen launched his eponymous venue, which was renowned for its Asian fusion dishes, at the 5-star Celtic Manor Resort in 2016. It has now been replaced by new Asian diner, Pad.
Cen, who reached the MasterChef final in 2013, is concentrating on his Woky Ko restaurants in Bristol. He currently operates three sites with a fourth planned for St Nicholas Market, offering takeaway Asian street food.
A joint statement from Larkin Cen and Celtic Manor Resort read: “The contract between Larkin Cen and Celtic Manor Resort to operate Cen restaurant at the Manor House has expired after a two-year term and has not been renewed by mutual consent. The Celtic Manor Resort team of chefs, which has developed dishes alongside Larkin at Cen restaurant, has refined a similar menu featuring fresh, contemporary Asian cuisine at its new Pad restaurant in the same space.”
Pad is one of six restaurants at Celtic Manor Resort, which has three hotels. The other restaurants are Steak On Six, Rafters, The Grill, The Olive Tree and The Rib.