'Blindingly talented': Adam Byatt appoints head chef for Rosina

Adam Byatt has appointed Will Bee as head chef of Rosina, his new Italian-inspired neighbourhood restaurant on Wandsworth Common.

The restaurant opens today (Monday, June 29) marking Adam’s first professional venture into Italian cooking.

Named after Adam’s daughter, Rosie, Rosina is rooted in the food he has long cooked for family and friends, now brought into a restaurant setting in one of his favourite south London neighbourhoods.

Will will oversee the direction of the restaurant under Adam’s guidance, having previously worked in several respected kitchens, including Michelin-starred Lita in Marylebone and Paul Ainsworth at No6 in Padstow.

Speaking about the appointment, Adam said: “Choosing Will for this role was an easy decision. He is a blindingly talented cook, but it was also his leadership, maturity and drive that really impressed me.

“Working alongside Will to develop the menu at Rosina has been a joy. I have given steerage and direction; but - as with all my head chefs - they bring relevance and their personality.

“I’m sure Will will realise his dreams at Rosina.”

Who is Will Bee?

Will grew up in South Derbyshire and has worked in kitchens since the age of 13.

He studied culinary arts through school and into university, achieving a 2:1 in culinary arts management, before moving to Padstow to work under Paul Ainsworth at Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No6.

Starting as a prep chef, Will worked alongside chefs including John Walton and Chris McClurg, building his experience in one of Cornwall’s most respected kitchens.

He later moved to London, joining Lita in Marylebone, the Mediterranean restaurant which earned a Michelin star within its first year of opening.

At Lita, Will ran the kitchen as interim head chef for eight months, before being joined by Kostas Papathanasiou, previously executive chef of Frantzén.

His appointment at Rosina gives him a high-profile platform within Adam’s wider restaurant group, while also placing him at the centre of one of south London’s most notable new openings of the year.

Adam Byatt’s first Italian restaurant

For Adam, Rosina represents a new chapter after more than 20 years at Trinity in Clapham.

Known for modern British cooking with a strong French influence, Adam’s portfolio includes Michelin-starred Trinity, Upstairs at Trinity, Bistro Union, Brasserie Constance and Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel.

Rosina takes a different path, drawing on Adam’s long-standing love of Italy and its food culture.

The menu will showcase produce, wines and recipes from across Italy, alongside ingredients from the UK, delivered with the lightness of touch and elegance associated with Adam’s cooking.