Francesco is fortunate enough to have a management team that have either been by his side for years or have worked with him before and left a lasting impression. This has created a unique atmosphere where his mixture of passion, positivity and attention to detail have become the day-to-day way for everybody

FRANCESCO MAZZEI From early childhood, Francesco could always be found in the kitchen cooking with his mother, making their own olive oil, tomato sauce, salami and bread. With the determination to buy his first Levis jeans with his own money, he started working in his uncle’s Gelateria in Calabria at the age of nine, learning to make ice cream and cakes. At 14 he met renowned Italian chef Angelo Sabetta who recognised his talent and encouraged him to pursue his dream of becoming a chef.

After catering college and opening his first restaurant before going into military service, Francesco moved to Rome in 1992, where he worked a short stint at the Jolie Hotel before joining The Grand Hotel in Rome. He moved to London in 1996 to learn English and worked at several restaurants before starting to work at his dream hotel The Dorchester. A move back to Rome offered a position at the Michelin starred restaurant Eden Terrazza on the top floor of the Eden Hotel overlooking Rome.

In 2002 Francesco was approached by the Santini family to open ‘Santini’ restaurants in both Edinburgh and Milan. Moving back to London Francesco worked with Alan Yau as Head Chef at Yau’s Italian restaurant in Marylebone, Anda; he also worked with the pastry sections of both Hakkasan and Yauatcha and then moved to Bangkok to launch an Italian restaurant at the Royal Sporting Club.

In September 2005 Francesco opened Franco’s on Jermyn Street for the Hambro family to acclaimed reviews. Francesco then moved on to open the kitchen of renowned restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King’s latest London venture, St Alban in September 2006.

In June 2008 Francesco Mazzei opened L’Anima.

Francesco’s recipes have appeared in magazines and newspapers wildly across the world and he demonstrates regularly on TV shows in the UK. His consultancy work has seen him and his team work with Alan Yau in the launch of Princi, consult on Italian concept for Istanbuldoors and open his own gelateria and deli shop called Cocorino in Marylebone with Linda Yau. They recently prepared the Gala Dinner at the Italian stand during the Expo in Shanghai 2010, Gala Dinner for the Calabrian stand at Vinitaly International Wine & Spirits Fair. Francesco together with Giorgio Locatelli has been the testimonial of the Salumiamo campaign to create greater awareness and promote the wide range of Italy’s finest cured meats to the British market.
Luca Terraneo (Head Chef) Luca, born in Lombardy, started his career at the age of sixteen working seasons at various hotels in Italy. He met Francesco while working as Chef de Partie at La Terrazza restaurant in the Eden Hotel in Rome and then opened with him the Santini restaurant in Milan before moving to London to work at Anda, Esca Delicatessen, Franco’s and St. Albans. He spent 6 month in Bangkok with Francesco to open the Royal sport club.
Antonio Favuzzi (Sous Chef) Antonio, Sardinian by origin, crossed paths with Francesco back in Italy where they launched the Santini restaurant in Milan. He followed Francesco to London working alongside him at Anda as Chef de Partie, before opening the Esca Delicatessen in Clapham Common. Then he moved to open Franco’s in Mayfair as Junior Sous Chef, and then joint the St Albans restaurant’s opening team as Sous Chef before opening L’Anima restaurant.
Karolina Raukuc (Maitre D’) Karolina is responsible for the reservations and private dining bookings, ensuring that a high standard of service is delivered at all times. Karolina began her career at a Deli shop before joining Ping Pong as a waitress and quickly progressed to receptionist where she discovered her true calling. Karolina joined L’Anima as Assistant Maitre D’ and is now an integral member of the L’Anima team.
Martino Cancedda (Bar Manager) Martino is our newest member of the management team and joined us in October 2010. Martino graduated with honours from his Hospitality & business management degree and has gained a vast experience working in some of London’s top bars for the last eleven years including the Churchill bar at the Regency Hyatt, Locanda Locatelli, One Alwych and the Artesian bar at the Langham.