Together with owners James and Christie Brown, Clench launched the restaurant towards the end of 2022 and secured a Michelin star five months later.
The Chance Street restaurant – which is known for its high-reaching tasting menus and its intimate service style and semi-domestic aesthetic - is currently ranked 48 on Restaurant’s list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK.
It is understood that Cycene continues to trade and will be run by the existing team for the time being with some changes planned for mid September.
Clench – who has a heavyweight CV that includes spells at Trinity and The Clove Club and more recently head chef roles at Portland and Akoko – didn’t give a reason for his departure simply saying that “my time at Cycene has come to an end”.
“The decision was not an easy one to make but the time was right to finish on a high. Thank you to all the guests who dined with us over my tenure, my suppliers who consistently bring in some of the best produce in the world. And most of all to my amazing team,” he says.
“I am excited about the possibilities ahead and I am available for collaborations, consultancy, partnerships, private dinners and events.”
Within Blue Mountain School – which combines galleries and high-end retail – Cycene is in the space that was once home to Nuno Mendes and the Brown’s Mãos restaurant.
Blue Mountain School has been contacted for comment.