2024 has started with quite some pace as we continue our work on fantastic campaigns with the brightest names in hospitality. Read on to hear about our new openings with Tom Cenci and Stevie Parle. We also begin a year-long partnership with Roka this month - celebrating 20 years since it opened its first restaurant on Charlotte Street. We look forward to sharing their plans and celebrations with you throughout the year. This month also marks our first international project as an agency as we broaden our work with two Michelin-starred Henrique Sá Pessoa (who we represent at JOIA). All that, plus a calendar of events sure to banish the January blues - that's how you kick off a year.
LATEST NEWS
MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN introduces new Italian concept with Executive Chef Tom Cenci at the helm
Following the success of Soho's Nessa, Maslow's founder Guy Ivesha and executive chef Tom Cenci are teaming up once again for a new Italian concept at Mortimer House Kitchen in Fitzrovia. From February, Cenci will serve a menu inspired by family summers in Orta San Giulio, Piedmont and towns along the Amalfi coast. Expect Zucchini caesar, Maccheroni with taleggio and truffle and Chicken parmigiana with fresh spaghetti. Read more here.
Tonic now working with ROKA, the globally renowned restaurant group celebrating its 20th anniversary
We are excited to announce that Tonic is now working with ROKA, the international Japanese restaurant group, as it celebrates its 20th birthday this year. Launched in 2004 by chef Rainer Becker and business partner Arjun Waney, ROKA now operates four London restaurants, specialising in robatayaki dishes from its fiery grill, alongside exquisite sushi. It's marking the anniversary in style throughout 2024 - find out more here.
Stevie Parle to launch new West End restaurant in summer 2024
Pastaio's Stevie Parle has got us excited for summer already, as he'll be opening a new restaurant in London's West End. Details are still under wraps, but Stevie's happy to share that "it’ll be something special for sure and it should be open by the summer. Or it had better be. I’ve created new partnerships with forward-thinking farmers and growers all over the country. We have carefully-grown regenerative produce waiting for us to fire up the wood ovens”.
Tonic is now working with ARCA, Henrique Sá Pessoa's Amsterdam restaurant
This month, the Tonic team is going international: we're very excited to be extending our relationship with acclaimed Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa to represent his Amsterdam-based restaurant ARCA too. The relaxed restaurant from the man behind London's celebrated JOIA, is situated in the art'otel Amsterdam and serves a menu of modern Portuguese cuisine with Asian influences, in Henrique's signature style.
Chefs come together for SOUK EL SALAM 'PEACE MARKET', raising money for aid to Gaza
On Sunday 28th January, top UK chefs and food writers will host Souk el Salam 'Peace Market'. From 11am to 3pm at Imad's Syrian Kitchen (with use of the venue donated by owner Imad Al Arnab), visitors will be able to purchase baked goods from the likes of organisers and authors Sami Tamimi and Noor Murad, Ravinder Bhogal, Ixta Belfrage and Philip Juma. Entry is £14, including two food items, with all money raised going to the Amos Trust. Read more here.
What's on this month
Mam Sham are teaming up with the likes of Ed Gamble and FKA Black Axe Mangal for their food-meets-comedy supper club on 18th January. Mauro Colagreco will also welcome globally renowned Peruvian chef Micha Tsumura to London for a very special dinner on 30th January. Nessa will mark Burns Night with a Haggis brioche on its menu throughout January, while Veganuary will see Pastaio serve a limited-edition Kimchi, tomato and sesame spaghetti from vegan food writer Meera Sodha, and Rosa's Thai create a Tom yum fried rice special using Fable's pulled shiitake mushrooms. From 19th January, a new Estate Menu at Chalk in West Sussex will put the spotlight on produce sourced from the surrounding Wiston Estate.
Chef spotlight: Natasha Sideris
Natasha Sideris is the founder and CEO of Tashas Group, the international hospitality company which has brought her café concept tashas to diners around the world. Sideris first launched tashas in her native South Africa in 2005 - the group now has more than 15 locations around the country, and operates sites in the Middle East and the UK, having opened tashas at Battersea Power Station in November 2023.
Natasha grew up in the business, learning how to be a restaurateur from her father. Her travels around the world - from London to New York, Miami to Monte Carlo - have been a vivid source of inspiration for Natasha, helping her create an international approach to comfort food, and allowing her to work with talented artisans and designers from all corners of the globe. As a result, tashas is a home for beautiful food in elegant environments alongside Natasha's signature laid-back hospitality.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
The Times reviews KOLAE: 9.08/10
by Giles Coren
"A classic sour mango salad with roasted coconut and dried fish was blisteringly hot and full of chewy interest"
Financial Times reviews KOLAE
by Tim Hayward
"Every single dish, I was thinking “God, yes! This is exciting and different, and it’s glorious”
