The Team

Angela Hartnett
Angela Hartnett, MBE, 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, 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.

Since 2008 Angela has opened and remains involved in critically acclaimed restaurants such as Michelin starred Murano in Mayfair, and Merchants Tavern in Shoreditch. In 2013 she opened the similarly championed Cafe Murano, a brassier little sister to Murano, where she creates the menu with Sam Williams as Head Chef. In June 2015 a second Cafe Murano opened on Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, and in 2019 a third site in Bermondsey.
Shaun Francome,
Group Executive Chef
Shaun arrived back in 2017 when he joined the Murano team in Queen street. After progressing through the ranks, Shaun took over St James as Head chef in 2019. After excelling and supporting other sites, Shaun moved into a group role, of Senior Head Chef and eventually Group Executive Chef. This includes the day to day running of the business and to oversee the multiple kitchens within the group.

Shaun brings a wealth of experience, having worked alongside Angela for many years, having held previous positions in the Cotswolds, France, Australia and London.

Shaun spends much of his time writing the menu’s, training, and helping to inspire our next generation of chefs.
Michelle Jones, People Manager
Michelle had her first taste of hospitality as a teenager working in a kitchen in her native New Zealand as a KP. When she later moved to London aged 18 she started working in a bar in Soho.
Michelle quickly worked her way up through the ranks within each company she worked for gaining experience in HR, training and succession planning. It was during this time she found her true passion was for people and developing talent and she’s not looked back since.

Michelle is excited and proud to be involved with a such truly talented group that believe in giving individuals the right tools and opportunity to follow their own dreams.
cafe murano bermondsey
Michele Vollaro, Operations manager
Michele has been with us since the beginning joining the first Cafe Murano in 2013 as a waiter and since then he’s worked across every one of our businesses rising through the ranks until his current role as Operations Manager where he oversees all operational aspects of Cafe Murano.

Originally from Naples, Michele studied Hospitality Management & later completed the Italian sommelier academy. His career has seen him work in top restaurants in Italy, Switzerland, and London.

Michele spends much of his time in the sites helping inspire and develop our new recruits into the managers of the future.