Key Points
- Rake, headed by chefs Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver, has announced it will leave its kitchen residency at the Compton Arms in Islington.
- The kitchen residency will officially conclude following its final service on December 19, 2026.
- The closure marks the end of nearly two years of operations at the Islington venue since they took over at the start of 2025.
- It also means the conclusion of one of Time Out’s favourite Sunday roasts and popular old-school British dishes like ray wing tenders on crumpets, stargazy pie, and beer-battered cockles and clams.
- Chef Jay Claus described the departure as an “evolution rather than an ending,” highlighting plans to focus on hospitality without pretension.
- Chef Syrus Pickhaver revealed that the duo is working towards a new independent hospitality project slated for 2027 featuring playful cooking rooted in a sense of place.
- The Compton Arms has a strong history of high-profile kitchen residencies, previously hosting successful culinary outfits such as Four Legs (who later opened The Plimsoll and Tollington’s) and chef Dara Klein (now running Tiella in Bethnal Green).
London (Extra London News) September 2, 2026 – One of the capital’s most celebrated culinary residencies is drawing to a close, as kitchen outfit Rake announces its impending departure from the Compton Arms in Islington later this year. Led by talented young chefs Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver—who took over the reins at the classic backstreet boozer at the beginning of 2025—the team has built a stellar reputation for old-school British cookery and exceptional Sunday roasts. However, as all good things must come to an end, the chefs have confirmed that their final service at the north London venue will take place on December 19, 2026, paving the way for an ambitious new independent project targeted for 2027.
Why is Rake leaving the Compton Arms?
The departure marks a significant milestone for both the chefs and the historic Islington pub, which has steadily earned a reputation as a launchpad for London’s most exciting culinary talent. As reported by Time Out, chefs Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver have decided to conclude their nearly two-year residency to channel their energy into a brand-new independent venture.
Reflecting on the journey and the philosophical approach behind their food, Jay Claus—whom Time Out recently recognised as one of London’s best young chefs—stated that “Rake’s ethos, in its current and future form, has always been about hospitality without pretension as much as it is about cooking.” Claus further added that
“our time at the Compton Arms has provided us the opportunity to finesse exactly what that means, cooking generously, drinking well and creating a place where people can relax and spend time with friends.”
Emphasising that this is not a permanent goodbye, Claus noted that
“the end of the residency is an evolution rather than an ending for Rake.”
What is next for chefs Jay Claus and Syrus Pickhaver?
While loyal patrons of the Islington gastropub will undoubtedly mourn the loss of the current setup, the culinary duo is already looking forward to the future. Speaking about their next venture, Syrus Pickhaver stated that
“we’re excited to be turning our attention to a new independent hospitality project we’ve been working towards for 2027.”
Elaborating on what diners can expect from their upcoming venture, Pickhaver added that
“the cooking will remain playful and deeply rooted in a sense of place, moving between nostalgic British classics and unexpected interpretations.”
Further details regarding the precise location and concept of the chefs’ 2027 project are expected to be announced in due course.
What will diners miss most about Rake’s menu?
Until the final service on December 19, diners still have a limited window to experience Rake’s distinctively nostalgic brand of British cookery. Over the past two years, the kitchen has won critical acclaim—including a listing in the Michelin Guide—for dishes that lean heavily into retro, semi-pagan, and comforting British traditions.
Among the standout plates that have captivated food critics and local regulars alike are fishy specialities such as ray wing tenders served on crumpets, traditional stargazy pie, and deeply satisfying portions of beer-battered cockles and clams. Moreover, their weekend offering has consistently ranked as one of Time Out’s favourite Sunday roasts in the capital, cementing the residency’s cultural footprint in north London’s competitive dining scene.
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Who else has previously run the Compton Arms kitchen?
The Compton Arms has built a formidable legacy when it comes to hosting brilliant kitchen residencies, functioning as a veritable incubator for London’s top culinary talent. Before Rake took over the stoves in early 2025, the historic backstreet pub was home to Four Legs, the legendary pop-up duo whose smash-hit burger and pub fare eventually propelled them to open permanent neighbourhood fixtures like The Plimsoll and Tollington’s.
Additionally, the pub previously hosted chef Dara Klein, whose critically lauded cooking paved the way for her to launch Tiella in Bethnal Green, widely regarded today as one of the finest Italian restaurants in London. Given this rich history of nurturing exceptional food concepts, industry watchers are confident that the Compton Arms will secure another worthy successor to take over the kitchen space once Rake departs.
What should local diners expect before December 19?
With just months left before the final service, demand for tables in the pub’s cosy dining room and heated garden is expected to surge. Locals and food enthusiasts eager to try the menu one last time can visit the pub from Wednesday through Sunday, keeping in mind the venue’s operational policies, such as booking restrictions via Resy and evening age-limit amendments. As Rake prepares to write the final chapter of its Compton Arms story, the London food scene watches closely, anticipating how Claus and Pickhaver will translate their refined vision of unpretentious hospitality into their upcoming 2027 venture.
