Capparelli Cooks launched in Belfast by top London chef

Carlos Capparelli, a former head chef at two high-end restaurants in London of celebrity chef Yotam Ottolenghi, has set up a food business in Belfast specialising in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine.

The company, Capparelli Cooks has launched several prepared and prepacked dishes for cooking at home. In addition, Carlos (38) is planning to open a high-end restaurant and gourmet food store next year.

The flavour rich dishes are based on his extensive experience at Ottolenghi’s Nopi in Soho and Rovi in Fitzrovia, near the West End, two highly regarded eateries, over 10 years.

“I loved working with Yotam Ottolenghi because of his tremendous passion for premium ingredients and stunning Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flavours,” says Carlos. “I gained massively from his culinary excellence, customer focus and his business acumen over the years with him. He was a real pleasure to work with in the kitchen and a great mentor. In addition to seven restaurants, he also sells a wide range of quality foods through a string of delis and has a series of acclaimed cookbooks,” adds Carlos.

Originally from near Sao Paulo, one of the biggest cities in Brazil that’s also known for its outstanding food, Carlos grew up with a background in the hospitality industry. His mother ran a successful catering operation and father is a well-respected restaurateur. His parents have Italian heritage which also influenced the career direction he chose.

He studied culinary arts and decided to travel after college and first visited relatives in Bergamo, near Milan. Carlos subsequently travelled to Madrid and gained a post as a chef there in a typical Spanish restaurant specialising in unique tapas dishes. He spent two years as a chef in the Spanish capital.

Carlos completed his formal culinary education in London, gaining an advanced diploma in culinary arts at Westminster Kingsway College in 2012 and then a degree in culinary arts at London South Bank University two years later.

Carlos joined the Ottolenghi group as head chef in February 2012 after stints in various kitchens, including a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, while he completed his degree. He helped to create original dishes at Ramsay’s famed but now closed Michelin star Maze restaurant on London’s Grosvenor Square.

Carlos quickly moved up the Ottolenghi group to become executive chef and gained knowledge of and expertise in menu development, food preparation and restaurant management. He came to Northern Ireland with Belfast-born wife Lucie.

“I’ve been carrying forward this experience in the dishes I am currently creating for Capparelli Cooks in Belfast, such as Lasagne di Carne, Moussaka and Aubergine Parmigiana, and will continue to do so when the restaurant opens next year,” he adds.