James Beard Award nominee Janos Wilder is closing his Janos and J-Bar restaurants at the Westin La Paloma.

He announced the news to the staffers at the restaurants yesterday.

The fact that one of the area's most renowned restaurants is closing will come as a shock to foodies around the country. However, it's not a total surprise. In January, the Arizona Daily Star reported that Wilder had bemoaned the condition of the La Paloma in court documents related to a transfer of control of the struggling resort:

In another document, John S. Wilder, a premier Tucson chef widely known as Janos, said failure to move forward with the plan would jeopardize his ability to continue operating his restaurants at the Westin La Paloma.

"The lack of capital investment and general rehabilitation of the resort property has significantly impacted the ability of Wilder to maintain operations of the restaurant and bar," the document says.

Wilder, who runs Janos Restaurant and J Bar, said any delay in renovating the resort would likely lead to his closing those operations and laying off 44 employees.

More information on the closure is expected to be revealed later today.

The closure is not expected to affect Wilder's newest venture, Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails.