MasterChef winner forced to close restaurant hits out at ‘harsh & unfair’ diners & accuses them of ‘destroying’ trade
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A MASTERCHEF winner forced to close his restaurant has hit out at "harsh and unfair" diners who "destroyed" his trade. Simon Wood, 48, saw his fine dining establishment WOOD Manchester cease trading just months ago. He became a professional chef aged 38 in 2015 when he won the amateur version of MasterChef.
![[A smiling chef in an apron holds a MasterChef trophy.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_8dccea.png?strip=all&w=620)
Simon then went on to open WOOD Manchester in 2017 but his restaurant pulled down the shutters after facing down rent arrears, rising bills and spiralling ingredients costs. In a post on LinkedIn, the former BBC cooking competition winner has now hit back at critics.
![[Portrait of a chef with tattoos, arms crossed.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_c0a71a.png?strip=all&w=620)
He claimed well-known review websites like OpenTable, Tripadvisor and Google have become "spaces where a restaurant's reputation can be unfairly destroyed by people who may lack understanding, knowledge or even the decency to give honest feedback". Simon added: "Constructive feedback is always welcome and appreciated, but unfiltered negativity or dishonesty?.
![[Three chefs in white jackets toasting with champagne flutes.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_283023.png?strip=all&w=600)
"That's not only unfair - it's damaging.". Defending the eateries, he added: “Restaurants aren’t faceless businesses. "They’re built on the hard work, passion and livelihoods of the people behind them.”. The chef continued: “A single review can ripple through a team, not just as a hit to the business but to the people who pour their hearts into creating something special.
![[Exterior view of Wood restaurant with outdoor seating.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_40b83c.png?strip=all&w=620)
Viewers were quick to weigh in with their opinions in the comments. A number of other business owners agreed with the 48-year-old's stance. One wrote: "Always amazes me the lack of thought that some people have when leaving reviews some come across as if they actually want people sacked.".
![[Young chef with roasted meats and pastries.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_8829ab.png?strip=all&w=620)
