Chef duo Sam and Jak have left the Upton Firehouse to concentrate on their new Cirencester business.

Sam Edwards and Jak Doggett took over at the Upton Firehouse and Grill near Burford back in 2019, serving their take on smoked and barbequed food as well as fresh salads. There was also a weekly grill evening and a pizza night, utilising the venue's large wood fired ovens.

The pair have recently opened an eponymous venue in Cirencester, their home town, and also run a successful catering business.

READ MORE: Sam & Jak wine bar and restaurant opens in Cirencester

“It is with heavy hearts that we have chosen to leave,” Jak said.

“The Firehouse is where it all began for us, stepping out on our own after years of working with other great chefs and in top restaurants.

"We want a change of direction and feel the need to concentrate on the new business, Sam & Jak, in Cirencester, that only opened in late November of last year.”

Sam added: “The pandemic was a tough time for all and like so many we adapted to do take away and outside dining and we wouldn’t have been able to keep going if it was not for the support of Burford and the surrounding area.

"We have met so many great people and had such great feedback it gave us the confidence to go and try something new in Cirencester.

"This restaurant is a very different concept to the Firehouse. We hope we can tempt some of our regulars from Upton over here.”