Chef Stefano

We engaged Chef Stefano to cook a multi-course Christmas Banquet for our family of eight in London in December 2024. For context: we are a multi-generational family, all gourmands, (at one point I was an anonymous restaurant reviewer) with varying preferences in terms of cuisine but thankfully the common ground of the flavours of the Mediterranean, which was the brief we provided Chef Stefano. To say Chef Stefano surpassed our expectations is an understatement. Ten months later and I am still dreaming of the symphony of starters that was a beetroot gravlax with salmon, marinated sea bass that showcased the fish with a vibrant citrus and dill dressing and finally beef Carpaccio that was simplicity rendered decadent. Yes, it was thinly sliced beef and there were parmesan shavings, however, the truffle and mustard condiment was nothing short of ambrosial. The write-an-essay-about-it chicken liver pate fashioned into Christmas tree forms (the children in our number loved that touch) was smooth, rich, suitably boozy with the marsala wine and intense in flavour. And because portions were generous, it was a welcome addition to the breakfast table the following morning! For our main course we opted for Porchetta and baked salmon topped with pomegranates. The medley of sides ranged from perfectly executed classics such as roasted parsnips and carrots (which Chef Stefano made festive with the addition of a maple syrup dressing), lentils baked in a pumpkin gourd and a raw broccoli salad with pine nuts and baby spinach leaves that was a refreshing counterpoint to our other choices. Our puddings of Monte Bianco and Tiramisu were the kind of conclusion of dreams::meringue pavlova, chestnut cream, chantilly and chocolate on one hand, and layers of coffee soaked biscuits with the optimal ratio of mascarpone and chocolate on the other. Chef Stefano also prepared a lasagne for the children as an additional dish - a thoughtful inclusion in case they were picky eaters - but devoured by us all with alacrity. The effusiveness of this review is also due to Chef Stefano's professionalism. He arrived on time, plated everything beautifully and created a culinary experience that my family and I will cherish for many years to come.

We have had the pleasure of working with Stefano on several occasions now. The first time was during a particularly difficult period when our full-time chef experienced a family bereavement, Stefano stepped in at the last minute and quite literally saved Christmas! From the moment he arrived, his calm and positive attitude put everyone at ease. He communicates clearly and professionally, works seamlessly with our team, and, needless to say, cooks absolutely incredible food. Stefano is highly creative with his menus and always finds ways to make each dish both delicious and visually stunning. His attention to detail is evident in every plate. Everything he serves is beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. Since that first experience, we’ve had him back for various dinners and events, often at short notice, which has never phased him. Nothing ever seems too big of a task, and he always goes above and beyond to make sure everything runs smoothly. Stefano is reliable, talented, and a true pleasure to work with. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a chef who combines exceptional skill, creativity, and professionalism with a genuinely great attitude.