Francesco Mazzei

"It is hard to believe that in 2010 there are still such high rates of poverty and starvation to fight against around the world. Coming from a very religious family, I have grown up praying and helping the poor within our means.

I am proud that my team and I now have the chance to take an active part in trying to raise money to fight this malnutrition and I am sure that our customers will take an active part in this mission as well."

From early childhood, Francesco could always be found in the kitchen cooking with his mother, making their own olive oil, tomato sauce, salami and bread. He moved to London in 1996 to learn English. He worked at several restaurants before starting to work at dream hotel The Dorchester where he started as third Commis and quickly worked his way up to the position of Sous Chef in a six months time. A move back to Rome offered a position at the Michelin starred restaurant Eden Terrazza on the top floor of the Eden Hotel overlooking Rome.
 
In 2002 Francesco was approached by the Santini family to open ‘Santini’ restaurants in both Edinburgh and Milan. Moving back to London Francesco worked with Alan Yau as Head Chef at Yau’s Italian restaurant in Marylebone, Anda; he also worked with the pastry sections of both Hakkasan and Yauatcha and then moved to Bangkok to launch an Italian restaurant at the Royal Sporting Club.
 
In September 2005 Francesco opened Franco’s on Jermyn Street for the Hambro family to acclaimed reviews. Francesco then moved on to open the kitchen of renowned restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King’s latest London venture, St Alban in September 2006.
 
In June 2008 Francesco Mazzei opened L’Anima.