Popular Detroit Restaurant Pausing Operations So Chef Can Take Break

DETROIT — A popular Detroit restaurant will temporarily close for six months to allow its head chef time to focus on his physical and mental well-being.

Saffron De Twah will pause operations on Aug. 21 after Chef Omar Anani said he needs some personal time to focus on his physical and mental well-being, as well as spending time with family, and his community outreach efforts, according to a Facebook post.

During the closure, however, Anani told readers the restaurant will continue catering for private events, hosting ticketed pop-ups and preparing meals for the establishment’s Saffron Community Kitchen, which provides meals to residents experiencing food insecurity.

Anani is also raising the funds needed to build a permanent, private space for the restaurant’s community fridge, which his team stocks with prepared meals for folks in need in the surrounding area, according to the post.

The popular Moroccan restaurant is expected to reopen in March 2024, but that date can change, according to the post.

Anani recently won an episode of Food Network's "Chopped" and competed in the series finale. He was also a James Beard Award finalist for best chef in the Great Lakes category.