Novikov hires chef Stefano Stecca for Italian Room

Novikov restaurant and bar, which is set to open in London this summer, has hired chef Stefano Stecca to head up the kitchens of its Italian Room.

Stecca arrives from Osteria Stecca, where was chef-patron. Prior to opening his own establishment, he spent four years at the Brunello restaurant at the Baglioni hotel in Kensington.

The menu for the Italian Room is still to be finalised, but dishes will include risotto with clams, fennel herbs, lemon zest and parsley; and wood-roasted three-week-aged marinated T-bone steak with globe artichoke and roast potato.

Born in Rimini, in Romagna, Stecca began his career in small restaurants typical of the region, ultimately progressing to the two-Michelin-stared San Domenico in Imola, widely regarded as one of Italy's finest.

Moving to London, he spent several years working with Giorgio Locatelli at Zafferano in Knightsbridge before being appointed head chef at Rosmarino in St John's Wood.

Novikov restaurant and bar is the first restaurant outside Russia for the Novikov Restaurant Group.

The venue will comprise two restaurants - the Italian Room and the Asian Room - together with a stand-alone Lounge Bar.

Russia's Novikov Restaurants to open first London venue >>

Arkady Novikov's first London venture to open in summer >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs