Zagat’s Pick of 30 Under 30 Londoners

Zagat has announced its first ever London 30 Under 30 list. Compiled by Zagat’s editorial team, the list spotlights up-and-coming chefs, managers, sommeliers and mixologists in the London area, all under the age of 30.
Says co-founder, co-chair and namesake, Tim Zagat, “We are proud to expand our 30 Under 30 series to London and congratulate this year’s honorees for their contributions to the local restaurant scene. These young men and women come from both the front of the house and the back. They represent the future of the English restaurant industry.”
Anyone even halfway familiar with London’s current dining scene knows it’s a deliciously happening place to be at the moment. From some of the world’s most highly regarded and exclusive restaurants to humble but innovative street vendors (and everything edible in between), London is top of the foodie charts in all sorts of ways. Still, a bad reputation of tired and bored lingers from the past with those not as hip to today’s Brit palate. Hopefully, with recognition from the likes of Zagat along with an Olympic zoom in on all things London this summer, attitudes towards what’s to eat in London will finally begin to change.
Here’s the London list of Zagat’s 2012 “30 Under 30 Winners” along with the winners’ position and age:
•    Tom Adams, Head Chef and Owner, Pitt Cue Co. (23);
•    Steve Allery, Commis Chef, The Dorchester Collection (21);
•    Matthew Ambrose, First Commis Chef, Claridge’s (20);
•    Tim Anderson, Freelance Chef; Masterchef Winner (27);
•    Jen Aries, Front of House Manager, The Crooked Well (29);
•    Graziano Arricale, General Manager, Sartoria (28);
•    Tom Barton, Chef, Honest Burgers (26);
•    Danila Bogdan, Senior Sous-Chef, Petrus (28);
•    Sam Bompas and Harry Parr, Food Artists, Bompas and Parr (28 and 29);
•    William Chilila, Pastry Demi-Chef de Partie, The Orrery (19);
•    Francesco Dibenedetto, Sous-Chef, Le Gavroche (27);
•    JJ Goodman, Barman and Owner, London Cocktail Club (28);
•    Rosie French and Ellie Grace, Owners, French and Grace (29 and 28);
•    Tim Homewood, Mixologist; World Class Tequila Finalist (26);
•    Tom Hunt, General Manager, Hawksmoor Seven Dials (29);
•    Edd Kimber, The Great British Bake Off Winner, Freelance Baker (26);
•    Florence Knight, Head Chef, Polpetto (26);
•    James Lyon-Shaw, Executive Chef, ETM Group (29);
•    Cédric Manile, Pastry Chef, Dinings (23);
•    Rob Mcleary, Head Chef, The Modern Pantry (25);
•    Fergus Muirhead, Sommelier, Tom Aikens (22);
•    Rositsa Nikolova, Commis Chef, Parliamentary Catering and Retail Service (23);
•    Stevie Parle, Head Chef, The Dock Kitchen (26);
•    Jamie Russell, Junior Sous-Chef, Wright Brothers Soho (22);
•    Tom Sellers, Head Chef, Story (25);
•    Sunaina Sethi, Sommelier, Trishna (24);
•    Tim Siadatan, Head Chef, Trullo (28);
•    Ben Spalding, Former Head Chef, Roganic (25);
•    Martin Sweeney, Head Chef, Hix Oyster & Chop House (27); and
•    Steve Wilson, Chef, The Russet and The People’s Kitchen (26)

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