It's all about the young uns at the moment. Next week we have the announcement of the Young British Foodies and last night was the reveal of Zagat's 30 under 30. It's a list they've done regularly in the States - but this is their first UK version - in which they highlight the most promising chefs, mixologists, sommeliers and more who "represent the future of the English restaurant industry.”
Some of the best of London's restaurant scene were in attendance to pick up their awards and grab a few canapes at the Gilbert Scott bar and we, of course, managed to grab the odd snippett of news on new openings from those on attendance (so keep an eye on this page).
Many of those named will already be very familiar to readers of Hot Dinners as behind some of the hottest places in town with winners included from places as diverse as Pitt Cue Co, Claridges, Hawksmoor, Roganic and more besides.
The full list (with those ages that will make the over 30 among us feeling a little inadequate) is:
- Tom Adams, Head Chef and Owner, Pitt Cue Co. (23)
- Steve Allery, Commis Chef, The Dorchester Collection (21)
- Matthew Ambrose, First Commis Chef, Claridge's (20)
- Tim Anderson, Freelance Chef; Masterchef Winner (27)
- Jen Aries, Front of House Manager, The Crooked Well (29)
- Graziano Arricale, General Manager, Sartoria (28)
- Tom Barton, Chef, Honest Burgers (26)
- Danila Bogdan, Senior Sous-Chef, Petrus (28)
- Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, Food Artists, Bompas and Parr (28 and 29)
- William Chilila, Pastry Demi-Chef de Partie, The Orrery (19)
- Francesco Dibenedetto, Sous-Chef, Le Gavroche (27)
- JJ Goodman, Barman and Owner, London Cocktail Club (28)
- Rosie French and Ellie Grace, Owners, French and Grace (29 and 28)
- Tim Homewood, Mixologist; World Class Tequila Finalist (26)
- Tom Hunt, General Manager, Hawksmoor Seven Dials (29)
- Edd Kimber, The Great British Bake Off Winner, Freelance Baker (26)
- Florence Knight, Head Chef, Polpetto (26)
- James Lyon-Shaw, Executive Chef, ETM Group (29)
- Cédric Manile, Pastry Chef, Dinings (23)
- Rob Mcleary, Head Chef, The Modern Pantry (25)
- Fergus Muirhead, Sommelier, Tom Aikens (22)
- Rositsa Nikolova, Commis Chef, Parliamentary Catering and Retail Service (23)
- Stevie Parle, Head Chef, The Dock Kitchen (26)
- Jamie Russell, Junior Sous-Chef, Wright Brothers Soho (22)
- Tom Sellers, Head Chef, Story (25)
- Sunaina Sethi, Sommelier, Trishna (24)
- Tim Siadatan, Head Chef, Trullo (28)
- Ben Spalding, Former Head Chef, Roganic (25)
- Martin Sweeney, Head Chef, Hix Oyster & Chop House (27)
- Steve Wilson, Chef, The Russet and The People's Kitchen (26)
