It is understood that André Garrett, who currently oversees The Northall, will remain the five-star Whitehall hotel’s executive chef.
One of the capital’s best-known Italian chefs, the Calabrian-born Mazzei is currently in residence at Corinthia London’s sister property Corinthia Palace in Malta.
The hotel’s managing director Thomas Koch says that ‘the specific details’ of the operation will be confirmed over the coming months.
Mazzei describes his culinary style as ‘mamma’s cooking with a chef’s hands’. He started out working in his uncle’s gelateria before travelling the world, cooking at venues including The Dorchester, working with both Willi Elsener and Henry Brosi, then to Rome at La Terrazza dell’Eden, and back to launch Santini restaurants in both Edinburgh and Milan, then to The Royal Sporting Club in Bangkok.
His professional travels continued as he joined restaurateur Alan Yau as he opened a series of venues in Mumbai and across the UK.
In London, Francesco also worked at Franco’s on Jermyn Street and St Alban with Jeremy King and Chris Corbin, before opening the L’Anima in the City, followed by three sites with D&D: Sartoria in Mayfair; Radici in Islington; and Fiume at Battersea Power Station. The chef parted ways with D&D last year.
“I am so happy to be able to create a restaurant with Francesco and the team here at the hotel, which will be for Londoners and hotel guests alike. Francesco’s personality and his spectacular Italian food will be irresistible for sure,” says Kochs.
Mazzei added: “Since my last ventures in London, I had been searching for the right opportunity, so when the prospect to open here at Corinthia London presented itself, I was delighted. It is the perfect location for me to showcase the most beautiful, classic Italian cooking that I am so excited to share. I am also thrilled to be in great company, working alongside the hotel’s other partners, Tom Kerridge and Salvatore Calabrese.”
