Chef's bankruptcy case dismissed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7966719.stm

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Bankruptcy proceedings against celebrity chef Paul Rankin have been dismissed at the High Court.

The petition against the Michelin-star winning restaurateur and his business partner wife Jeanne was dropped due to agreement being reached with creditors.

Papers had been served on the couple, who now only run the flagship Cayenne in Belfast city centre, over a debt owed to supplier Arnotts Fruit Ltd.

But after a private hearing it was confirmed the action was dismissed.

It is understood that Arnotts Fruit Ltd were the only company to have petitioned the couple for bankruptcy.

The couple have entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement with the company, and repayments will be funded through Mr Rankin's personal earnings.

Mr Rankin, well known from appearances on Ready Steady Cook and his own show Gourmet Ireland with wife Jeanne, has recently sold off his Roscoff Brasserie restaurant and Rankin Cafe chain.

"I am grateful, to my suppliers and customers in supporting my business and I am committed to the arrangements I have entered into to maximise returns to creditors," Mr Rankin said after the petition was dismissed.