Francesco Mazzei
Restaurant: L'Anima
Francesco Mazzei opened L'Anima in 2008 to broad acclaim, the culmination of a career dating back to stints at his uncle's gelateria in Calabria, aged nine.
Since moving to London, Mazzei has worked at the The Dorchester, Yau's Italian, Hakkasan and Yauatcha, and opened the acclaimed Franco's on Jermyn Street in 2005. Francesco's recipes have appeared in print around the world, and he consults across a broad brief: with Alan Yau in the launch of Princi; the Cocorino gelateria in Marylebone; and the gala dinner at the Italian stand during the Shanghai 2010 Expo.
You can try Francesco's food on Friday 2nd December when he will be the guest chef in the Action Against Hunger pop-up restaurant. He will also be appearing in the AEG Taste Theatre at 2pm on the Friday, and hosting a book signing following his demonstration.