Giorgio Locatelli, Locanda Locatelli

Giorgio Locatelli hardly needs an introduction given his several high profile successes on the London restaurant scene and growing TV fame. Locatelli has always known about good food – his parents owned a Michelin starred restaurant in Italy and he has worked in restaurants in Italy, Switzerland and France. He first made his name in London at the Savoy and then with Zafferano before launching Locanda Locatelli, which remains as popular now as when it first opened.

However it was also Locatelli’s passion and knowledge for drinks – in particular Italian wine – that won him praise from the judges. “He knows his drinks and is as well versed in the complexities of Italian wine as anyone,” one said. “He is just absolutely truly passionate and he still actually cooks.
A well-known chef who is still to be found in the kitchen. It’s extraordinary!” another commented.
A true legend in the on-trade, the drinks business is thrilled to award Locatelli with this accolade.

The Runner-up 2006

Christine Parkinson, Hakkasan
The judges were desperate to recognise Parkinson’s work in wine and training at the Hakksan group, but felt that she was just eclipsed in the end by the might of Giorgio Locatelli’s achievements. “It’s so easy to cop out with wine lists and what she has managed with the lists at Hakkasan and Yauatcha is truly impressive, “they said. “It isn’t just Riesling with Chinese food, it’s a very innovative and accomplished list. Restaurants are about food AND wine and people like Christine should be recognised for their work.”

The Shortlist 2006

Niall Barnes, Albannach
“This is a great restaurant, a fabulous place,” commented one of the judges. Barnes’ achievement in setting up his Scottish themed bar and restaurant showed commitment and drive, as well as initiative, the panel agreed. One to watch for the future, we say

Henry Bessant, Worldwide Cocktail Club
A truly beloved industry figure, Bessant has a lovely presence and a great professionalism, according to the judges. His innovation and achievements in bar staff training were most admired by the panel, who also thought he was a, “great front man and has real impact on industry thinking”.

Wayne Collins, Maxxium UK
Collins’ work as brands mixology senior manager at Maxxium UK has deservedly won him real respect among the industry’s bar staff. The judges felt that his background in bar tending and managment has lent his training sessions real gravitas and depth, as has his down-to-earth manner and personable nature.

Rogerio David, Armadillo
As we all know, opening a restaurant is a gamble at the best of times. Opening a Latin American restaurant – which many will associate with “thoughts of stripy multicoloured rugs and refried beans”, as Fay Maschler so memorably put it with – and in London’s Hackney at that, would have been a gamble too far for many. But not David, whose commitment and drive have taken the restaurant on to win several awards, including one from Time Out and the Tio Pepe ITV London restaurant Awards.

© db May 2006