Is this the official end of the Kevin Sbraga dining empire?
Sbraga, the “Top Chef” winner whose namesake Center City restaurant abruptly closed last January, on Wednesday announced the permanent closure of his last remaining restaurant, The Fat Ham in King of Prussia.
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Sbraga, which was named the nation’s best new restaurant in 2012 and led the way for The Fat Ham locations in University City and later KOP, shuttered to the surprise of many, and with very little context. Following the closure was a trail of semi-cryptic Instagram posts on Sbraga’s personal account, including a statement about Sbraga and Fat Ham’s simultaneous closings.
Fans of Sbraga took solace in the remains of Fat Ham’s second location in King of Prussia, but by the end of this weekend, the Southern-style eatery will meet the fate of Sbraga’s other restaurants.
“I’m disappointed in how many people I’ve let down,” Sbraga said in a statement to Philly.com.
Sbraga said that, prior to winning “Top Chef,” he had been unemployed, living in a car, and had zero experience ever owning a restaurant. “Ultimately, I grew too fast and wasn’t prepare for what I had in front of me,” he said.
He hopes to continue his career consulting for another restaurant, as he previously did for George Perrier and Stephen Starr concepts.
Luckily you could still be able to get one last taste of Sbraga’s food this month at the Great Chefs Event on June 20. He will be one of many chefs at the Navy Yard presenting his finest bites and raising money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.