Claude Bosi has hired a former Le Gavroche chef to head up the kitchen at his low-key foodie temple Hibiscus in Mayfair. Francesco Dibenedetto began his culinary training at IPSSAR ‘A. Perotti’ (Professional Institute of State for Food and Wine) and has since had a variety of roles, including the Four Seasons Golf Club in Dubai, a place at Michel Roux Jr’s legendary London dining room, and Joel Robuchon’s La Table in Monte Carlo.
As well as his full time chef roles, Francesco has undertaken stages at internationally acclaimed restaurants such as Grant Achatz’s Alinea in Chicago, Charlie Trotter’s, also in Chicago (since closed), Richard Ekkebus’ Amber in Hong Kong, and Gordon Ramsay’s Royal Hospital Road.
Francesco went on to work as a consultant chef for Chez Roux Ltd, overseeing all of the restaurants and catering events within the group, before taking on a new challenge as head chef at the sometime divisive Hibiscus. The verdict on Bosi’s fine dining venture is still split among our reporters with some extolling its “truly memorable” dishes and other decrying the “overwrought” menu. Perhaps Francesco, with his impressive pedigree, can help unite opinion?
