The administrative office and one of two teaching restaurants for the renowned Stratford Chefs School are up for sale.

In an interview with the Gazette Monday, Eleanor Kane, one of the school’s founding directors, confirmed her properties, which include the Old Prune restaurant and its parking lot, were put on the market in late January.

“We’ve had a wonderful experience with this business, but we’ve reached a point in our careers where we feel it’s time to reap some of the benefits,” said Kane, who has run the restaurant for the last 32 years with her business partner  Marion Isherwood.

“We’ve had a wonderful run with this restaurant, great success, and we feel proud of our achievements with it, so it’s an end to a chapter, let’s say.”

The sale of the restaurant could create complications for the chefs school moving forward. Currently, the school rents through the winter months both the Old Prune and Rundles Restaurant, which is owned by the chefs school’s other founding director, James Morris, as its two primary teaching facilities.

“It’s really hard at this point to know what’s going to happen,” said Kane. “It’s been a very fruitful relationship, and there’s the potential that could continue.”

She notes if the restaurant’s new owner chooses not to maintain a similar partnership with the chefs school, a second training facility will need to be found. And with recruitment already underway for fall classes, a suitable second location would need to be found relatively quickly.

“We could reconfigure to a certain extent, but we definitely need two teaching kitchens and restaurant space,” she added.

While there has been some showings, Kane indicated there’s yet to be any serious interest shown in the restaurant.

As for the school’s administrative office, Kane said a new location will need to be found, which she doesn’t foresee being a problem. She notes the school has moved offices multiple times over the years, with its current location just steps from the Old Prune.

Founded in 1983 as a non-profit educational institution, the Stratford Chefs School is governed by a board of directors, while Kane and Morris act as stewards – a role Kane said she will maintain.

While the news might come as a surprise in the community, Kane said she’s had many discussions with the school’s board over the last four years about a succession plan. She adds the school is very well governed and that the necessary steps will be taken to ensure the school’s future stability.

“Businesses that are successful are nimble, and flexible, and they’re able to respond to change, and I don’t see any reason why the chefs school wouldn’t be in that category.”

Kane also made clear the chefs school has a long future in city.

“We’ve brought this school along for 25 years, and we’re in our 26th year, and there’s no intention of folding up the school.

“We remain fully committed to that.”