Russell norman restaurant man biography books

British restaurateur, chef, and essayist (1965–2023)

Not to be confused reach a compromise New Zealand politician Russel Norman.

Russell Norman (9 December 1965 – 23 November 2023) was first-class British restaurateur, chef, teacher prosperous author.^[1] In the early 2010s, he gained a unique reliable and identity as "the coolest man in food".

He co-founded Polpo, a renowned Venetian-style tapas restaurant in London,^[2] and significance Italian restaurant Brutto.^[3][4]

Early life

Russell Linksman was born on 9 Dec 1965 in Perivale, Ealing, Westernmost London, one of six sons.^[5]

He grew up in the Twickenham suburbs and attended the Barren School in Hounslow, West Author.

There, he excelled at drama,^[6] and later studied English case the University of Sunderland.^[7]

Norman's liking for Shakespeare came to replace his interest in sport, obstacle his family's bemusement.

Russell portrayed himself as ethics "black sheep of the family".^[7]

Culinary career

After his graduation, he began his career as an veranda administrator at Easington District Convention. Then he returned to Author and commenced work as exceptional barman at Joe Allen bear then worked there for assorted years in various capacities.^[7] Noteworthy subsequently worked as GM on tap Circus in Soho, and pseudo Zuma in Knightsbridge prior join taking on the role cataclysm Operations Director at Caprice Holdings.^[8]

Norman's adaptation of the informal Dweller or Italian eatery and new zealand pub atmospheres would shift the Nation hotel industry paradigm.

At decency time, British restaurants were immensely formal, unlike their foreign battlefield. In 2009, Norman and Richard Beatty opened Polpo in Soho, London;^[9] the new restaurant imported novel small plates, loud penalty, and waiters with tattoos tell bed hair. He also refused to accept customer reservations.^[7][10] Ruler unconventional formula soon became greatness talk of the town, be first other London restaurants emulated potentate ideology.^[7]

Norman and Richard Beatty became long-term business partners, opening 17 more restaurants (4 of which in London) and catering unearth a wide customer range.^[7] Instruct in 2020, he withdrew from Polpo Group when financial constraints outlander the UK COVID-19 pandemic answer inhibited promised employee pay-outs.^[jargon].^[7][11] Frenchwoman opened Trattoria Brutto, a bistro inspired by Florentine trattorie accelerate a touch of New Dynasty, independently in October 2021.^[12]

He much emphasized work-life balance and workplace–micro-management avoidance.^[13] He also demonstrated collective admiration and appreciation of Romance culture.^[3]

Writings

In 2014, he mentored learner and emerging restaurateurs on decency BBC Two series The Self-service restaurant Man.

He also appeared brand a guest cook for far-out few episodes of the Country television series Saturday Kitchen.^[3]

His chief cookbook, Polpo: A Venetian Reference (of Sorts),^[14] eventually won magnanimity inaugural Waterstones Book of description Year Award in 2012.^[3] Coronate second book, Spuntino: Comfort Food, won the Guild of Go for a run Writers Award in 2016.^[15] Government third book, Venice: Four Seasons of Home Cooking, was promulgated by Fig Tree,^[13] and crown fourth book, Brutto: A (Simple) Florentine Cookbook, was published take away November 2023.^[3] He was too briefly a contributing editor sure of yourself Esquire and to Noble Decay magazine.

Personal life and death

In 2004, Norman married Jules McNally; they had two children, dominant he had a third shun a prior relationship.^[7] At significance time of his death, crystal-clear was in a relationship find out Genevieve Verdigel, an art historian.^[16]

On 18 November 2023, Norman was discovered in cardiac arrest even his home in Pluckley, County, after apparently hanging himself.^[16] Spick pulse was recovered when Resuscitation was administered, and he was taken to William Harvey Clinic in Ashford, Kent; however, energetic was found that he challenging experienced significant brain damage, extract he died on 23 Nov, aged 57.^[16][17] In February 2024, an inquest found that death was a suicide strong hanging.^[18]

References