The Sash Restaurant Group has just announced Aldo Zilli as its resident Chef Consultant for its two Lucarelli restaurants. Zilli will be creating new concepts for the UK market alongside the Sash team.
The award-winning celebrity chef specialises in regional Italian food. He was the founder and chef-patron of some of London’s most exciting and innovative restaurants: Signor Zilli, Zilli Green, Zilli Café and Zilli Bar. His Italian seafood restaurant, Zilli Fish, was a Soho institution for over 15 years until March 2012 when Zilli decided to hang up the chef’s whites and embark on other ventures.
The Lucarelli restaurants are in the Mailbox Birmingham and in West Bromwich, which has been wowing diners with its beautiful setting and exemplary menu since it opened in April 2021.
Zilli will be working with his old friend Carmine Sacco to create the best food and service specifically creating some new signature dishes for the upcoming seasonal menus. Bucking the trend, the restaurants are going from strength to strength after facing down the harsh realities of lockdown and ensuing restrictions, to come back bigger and better.
Exceptional food and Zilli’s exuberant personality means he appears regularly on television and radio both as presenter and chef. Which makes him the perfect brand ambassador for the Lucarelli restaurant group.
After the staffing crisis of the past year, Zilli will also be working with the staff to help them with their career development, training and motivation in an effort to retain talent in the hospitality industry.
General Manager Alessandro Meraglia said, “We are delighted to have Aldo on board to be part of the Lucarelli family and looking forward to him showcasing his amazing signature dishes. Embodying so much Italian charm, style and fine food, Aldo and Lucarelli are a real culinary match!'
Zilli is no stranger to Birmingham, it is one of his favourite cities, having launched Taste of Birmingham in 2005 and appearing at BBC Good Food Show regularly. He said, “Back then I knew the city had the potential to become one of the best in the world and the talent here has certainly proven that.
'With so many Michelin starred places and so much diverse offerings, the city is a must-visit for restaurant lovers.”
In the coming months, Aldo will be hosting master classes and special events at the Mailbox and West Bromwich venues, as well as creating new seasonal dishes.
Further ventures are in the pipeline and they will be growing the brand UK-wide and then internationally this year.