Angela Hartnett, OBE, is one of the UK’s most loved chefs and restaurateurs, known for her sophisticated yet simple, Italy-inspired cooking. Born in Britain, her passion for good, honest food and the best ingredients was instilled in her by her Italian grandmother and mother.
After starting out in the kitchens at Aubergine, Zafferano, L’Oranger and Petrus, Angela became head chef at Petrus within seven short months, helping the restaurant to achieve a Michelin star. She went on to launch Amaryllis in Scotland; Verre in Dubai; MENU and The Grill Room at The Connaught, with Gordon Ramsay. In 2007 Angela was awarded an MBE for services to the hospitality industry, and the following year she opened her own restaurant, Murano in Mayfair, where she is Chef Proprietor, and holds a Michelin star. Serving modern, seasonal food with an Italian accent, Murano is one of the few restaurants to hold 4 AA rosettes.
In November 2013, she opened the critically acclaimed Cafe Murano in St James,’ a brassier little sister to Murano. In June 2015 a second Cafe Murano opened on Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, and in November 2019, Angela opened a third Cafe Murano, on London’s Bermondsey Street. In September 2013 Angela also launched Merchants Tavern (now closed) in Shoreditch, in collaboration with her husband Neil Borthwick, Head Chef of The French House. Outside of London, 2012 saw Angela open Hartnett Holder & Co in partnership with Robin Hutson, and with Chef Luke Holder at Limewood Hotel in the New Forest. In 2015 she joined the team at Portetta Hotel in Courchevel to open Cucina Angelina.
Angela was the chef judge in BBC1’s Britain’s Best Home Cook in 2020, alongside Claudia Winkleman, Mary Berry and Chris Bavin. In June 2022 she launched the podcast, Dish by Waitrose & Partners, which she co-hosts with celebrity broadcaster Nick Grimshaw. The much-loved podcast combines Nick Grimshaw’s charisma with Angela’s culinary expertise, diving into the intersection of food, culture and conversation.
Angela currently has three cookbooks to her name, Cucina (2007) and Angela’s Kitchen (2011) published by Ebury and best seller, The Weekend Cook, Good Food for Real Life (2022) by Bloomsbury. In January 2022 Angela was awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry and to the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. In July, 2025 she opened her fourth Cafe Murano, located in Marylebone and in September, she opened Cicoria and Bar Cicoria at the iconic Royal Opera House in London.
