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A Sunday night email from Gazier read:

“It’s been a difficult and hectic week.

“It is with sadness that after a significant deal of consideration, the decision has been taken to cease ZenKitchen’s operations permanently.

“ZenKitchen has meant a lot to me personally over the years. This was not an easy decision to make, nor is it the outcome that I anticipated when we attempted to revive the restaurant in July.

“It is even more so a regretful decision when it affects the livelihood of dedicated staff members. We had a wonderful team, both front-of-house and kitchen. I am appreciative of everyone’s efforts and of David Loan’s to rebuild ZenKitchen. My intent is that all staff will receive their full pay to-date, and that all who qualify or come close to qualifying will also receive their severance pay.

“This has also meant the loss of two jazz series, both Tim Bedner’s Sunday night jazz, and Roddy Ellias’s Wednesday jazz series with excellent out-of-town musicians. Tim and Roddy were amazing in setting up these exceptional series and I am a big personal fan of their music.

“I want to thank all our customers for their support and patronage over the years. The restaurant industry is a tough one in which to survive. Please continue to put your support behind small local businesses, including restaurants and music!”

ZenKitchen opened in 2009 under Loan and his then partner, chef Caroline Ishii. The couple’s efforts were documented on the 2010 W Network reality TV series The Restaurant Adventures of Caroline and Dave.

Ishii’s food won a following and she competed in the prestigious Gold Medal Plates competition in 2010 and 2011, taking second place both times. Her successor at ZenKitchen, Kyle Mortimer-Proulx, is competing this year in the Nov. 17 event. After ZenKitchen closed this summer, Mortimer-Proulx moved to run the kitchen at Lowertown Brewery.