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| Giorgio Locatelli | |
|---|---|
| Name | Giorgio Locatelli |
| Birth date | 1963 |
| Birth place | Corgeno |
| Occupations | Chef, restaurateur, author, television presenter |
| Style | Italian cuisine |
| Restaurants | Locanda Locatelli |
| Awards | Michelin Guide star |
Giorgio Locatelli is an Italian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter known for his advocacy of regional Italian cuisine in the United Kingdom and internationally. Born in Corgeno in 1963, he trained and worked across Italy and France before establishing a high-profile career in London, where his work intersected with prominent figures and institutions in contemporary culinary arts. Locatelli’s public profile expanded through restaurants, cookbooks and appearances on BBC and other broadcast outlets, earning recognition from bodies such as the Michelin Guide and the AA.
Locatelli was born in Corgeno, near Varese, within the Lombardy region of Italy. His early culinary influences included family members and local practitioners of Italian cuisine in the post‑war period, and he was exposed to regional dishes from Lake Maggiore and Milanese traditions. As a young apprentice he sought professional training in Italy and then moved to France to work in kitchens associated with schools and restaurants influenced by figures such as Alain Ducasse and the classical French brigade system derived from Auguste Escoffier. His formative years connected him to networks in Paris, Nice, and the broader Provence region, shaping a technique that blended Lombardy roots with French cuisine refinement.
Locatelli’s early professional roles included positions at restaurants in France and Italy, where he encountered chefs and proprietors from the contemporary European culinary scene. He transitioned to the United Kingdom in the 1990s and worked in establishments that linked to the rise of modern British cuisine and the multicultural restaurant landscape of London. His cooking emphasized regional Italian cuisine—from Sicily to Emilia‑Romagna—and he collaborated with suppliers and producers connected to Slow Food-aligned networks and traditional Italian marketplaces. Throughout his career he maintained dialogues with restaurateurs, culinary institutes and hospitality groups, engaging with debates about authenticity, sourcing, and regional identity in European food culture.
Locatelli is best known for founding Locanda Locatelli in London, which became part of the city’s fine‑dining scene and attracted attention from critics associated with outlets such as the Michelin Guide, The Times, The Guardian, and industry awards administered by organizations like the AA and Good Food Guide. He has operated additional ventures including casual dining projects, deli and retail concepts, and pop‑up collaborations in cities including Milan, Rome, and destinations in Scotland. His business partnerships have interfaced with hospitality groups, boutique hotel operators, and culinary festivals such as London Food Month and other citywide gastronomy events.
Locatelli developed a broadcast profile with appearances on BBC Two, Channel 4, and other European channels, featuring in series and specials about Italian cuisine, restaurant culture, and travel. He has appeared alongside presenters and chefs associated with programs on BBC and culinary festivals, participated as a judge and guest on competitive formats, and contributed to documentaries exploring regional foodways in Italy. His media presence extended to interviews and features in publications such as The Telegraph, The Independent, Times of London, and lifestyle magazines that cover dining, travel, and gastronomy.
Locatelli is the author of multiple cookbooks that reflect a regional and ingredient‑led approach to Italian cuisine. His titles include works that document recipes, techniques and narratives about Italian food culture, and these books have been featured in reviews by outlets such as The Guardian, Financial Times, and culinary periodicals. His publications situate recipes within the contexts of regional provenance—from Sicily and Piedmont to Tuscany and Veneto—and engage with sourcing from markets and producers across Lombardy, Campania, and the Italian peninsula.
Locatelli has received critical recognition including mention in the Michelin Guide and accolades from organizations such as the AA and national and international culinary awards. Critics from newspapers like The Times, Evening Standard, The Guardian, and magazines including Restaurant Magazine and Food & Wine have profiled his restaurants and books. His work has been cited in discussions at culinary conferences and festival programs associated with institutions such as the Slow Food Foundation and city food initiatives in London and Milan.
Locatelli’s personal life has intersected with other figures in the hospitality and cultural sectors; he has family connections in Italy and resides primarily in London, while maintaining ties to his hometown in Lombardy. He has supported charitable and community projects related to food education, gastronomy, and hospitality training, aligning with organizations that promote sustainable sourcing and culinary apprenticeships in Europe. His philanthropic engagements have included participation in benefit dinners, collaborations with food banks, and support for initiatives linked to professional development at culinary schools and festival programs.
Category:Italian chefs Category:Television presenters Category:People from Varese