Restaurant Ibid, which served contemporary Chinese cuisine from a Boat Quay shophouse, will be closing indefinitely.

Lawyer-turned-chef and MasterChef Asia winner Woo Wai Leong, the restaurant's founder, said that this was due to "personal reasons".

In a message published both on Facebook and Instagram on Jun. 8, Woo explained that operating the restaurant had been "a most challenging time" for him, and that the business had grown at the expense of his health.

Restaurant Ibid clinched a spot in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2019 about a year after opening in 2018.

"I will be taking a much needed break in order to rest and recover and plan my next steps in my life, both personally and professionally," said Woo.

Restaurant will fulfil existing orders

Amid tightened restrictions currently in effect under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), where dining in at restaurants is banned, Restaurant Ibid launched a takeaway bake box.

https://instagram.com/p/CP2UQDynzVZ/

Woo said that those who already ordered bakes for the period of June 8 to June 13 would still have their orders fulfilled before the restaurant shuts its doors.

However, reservations for dining in at the restaurant from June 14 onwards would be cancelled, said Woo, apologising for "inconvenience and disappointment".

"This isn’t the end, it’s just the end for now," wrote Woo, saying that he would "find a way to keep hosting and cooking" for customers.

Top image via Woo Wai Leong on Facebook and The Red Marker on Google Maps