Giorgio Locatelli, is considered by many to be one of the best Italian chefs in the UK. At Locanda Locatelli, Giorgio serves traditional Italian dishes, emphasising the quality and freshness of the produce, as well as adding his own personal creative touch. That, together with a friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere, has made Locanda Locatelli one of the most sought-after restaurants in London. Locanda Locatelli has won a Michelin star in 2003(Giorgio’s second), which has been retained since.
Giorgio Locatelli’s TV series Pure Italian, 2002, aired on UK Food and ‘Tony and Giorgio’, filmed with entrepreneur Tony Allan, shown on BBC2. It was accompanied by a tie- in book. His own cookery book, Made in Italy, was published in September 2006, to raving reviews. Made in Italy was has received the ‘Best Food Book’ award at the Glenfiddich Food and Drink Awards 2007 and Giorgio won first place in the Ethnic Chef award 2013. Following from this, Made in Sicily was published in September 2011, and Made at Home, was published in October 2017. The television series Sicily Unpacked BBC2 first aired in 2012 where he co-presented with Andrew Graham Dixon a journey which explored the island’s magnificent food and works of art shortly followed by Italy Unpacked, first aired in January 2013 on BBC2, continuing in 2014 & 2015 with Sicily Unpacked, and new series Rome Unpacked first aired in 2018. He will be joining the Masterchef 8 judging panel for the 8th series airing January 2019.
Giorgio was brought up on the banks of Lake Maggiore, Italy, in a village called Corgeno. His family ran a Michelin-starred restaurant, giving him an appreciation and understanding of food from an early age.
After working for a short spell in local restaurants in North Italy and Switzerland, Giorgio came to England in 1986 to join the kitchens of Anton Edelmann at The Savoy. F our years later Giorgio moved to Paris and worked at Restaurant Laurent and La Tour D’Argent.
On his return to London a couple of years later, Giorgio became head chef at Olivo, Eccleston Street, before opening Zafferano in February 1995.
Giorgio’s cooking at Zafferano quickly became the toast of London. His culinary talents have earned him an enviable international reputation as well as a whole host of accolades including ‘Best Italian Restaurant’ at the London Carlton Restaurant Awards for two consecutive years and his first Michelin star in 1999. The essence of his cooking is to highlight the natural flavours of quality produce, much of which he imports directly from Italy.
He opened his second restaurant, Spighetta, Blandford Street, in July 1997 and its sister restaurant Spiga, Wardour Street, in March 1998. Both received critical acclaim for offering great Italian food.
In 2002, on the 14th of February, Giorgio and his wife Plaxy, opened his first independent restaurant, Locanda Locatelli, in Seymour Street. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star in 2003, which has since been retained.
In October 2016, Giorgio was awarded the Commendatore OMRI by Italian Ambassador Terracciano for services to Italian gastronomy, the equivalent of a British knighthood.
Giorgio is also consulting at Ronda Locatelli, Atlantis- Dubai.
A family man, Giorgio lives with his wife Plaxy and their 2 children in Camden, London.