A day in the life of the flying chef

Chef’s have many tools at their fingertips as they go about the daily grind – but very few boast a Honda ST 1100 Pan European motor-cycle up there with the ballers, corers and zesters. But not so Paulo Barone, executive chef of the Locale group of modern Italian restaurants which opens its sixth outlet in Balham, south-west London, this month.

Known as ‘The Flying Chef’ among his peers, Barone says “I wouldn’t be without my Honda – I can be at the meat, fish and vegetable markets in minutes, and travel between our restaurants to troubleshoot or assist our chefs much more quickly than by car, and it’s kinder to the environment too.”

Barone is usually heading for the markets by 4.00am. “Being early means I can pick the freshest produce, order it and have it delivered to our restaurants before many other chefs are even awake” he says.

Born in Gorizia, Italy, Barone (35) started his career working as a commis chef at Ristorante Kappa in the north-east Italy town of Friuli.

He joined Locale as head chef in 2004 following posts at Buonasera in Clapham, Osteria Basilico in Notting Hill and Spiga in Wardour Street, central London, becoming executive chef in 2006.

Locale restaurants combine cutting-edge Italian cuisine with a warm, relaxing atmosphere, efficient yet unintrusive service and value for money. Locale Balham will seat 100 diners, with further space for 30 at the bar and 50 on the outside terrace. The restaurant’s stylish new bar will offer a range of specially-created cocktails and a full selection of beers, spirits and carefully-selected Italian wines.

For more information, see localerestaurants.com.