Francesco Dibenedetto leaves Claude Bosi’s Brooklands
Francesco Dibenedetto has left his role as executive chef at Brooklands, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant led by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula London.
His departure marks the end of a decade-long working relationship between Francesco and Claude, one of the capital’s highest profile chefs.
Francesco, who has been a key figure within Claude’s kitchens for a decade, joined Brooklands as part of the opening team when The Peninsula London launched its flagship dining spaces in 2023.
The restaurant quickly became one of the most talked-about luxury openings in the city, combining Claude’s classical French foundations and Francesco’s Italian flair with a highly polished British sensibility befitting the hotel’s global reputation.
Within months of opening, it received two Michelin stars.
‘A new adventure’
Speaking exclusively to The Staff Canteen about Francesco’s exit, Claude said: “It’s something we were planning for a long time. We are looking at our project and he wanted to move out of the hotel environment and decided to move on.
“We are still in contact and he is looking at a new adventure.
“I’ve been working with him for many years, he’s been amazing.
“After a while, sometimes people want to do something else. It was planned, we’ve got a great team behind it, people who have been working with us for ages.”
Asked if there were immediate plans to find a replacement for Francesco at Brooklands, Claude added: “We’ve got a team of 18 chefs, so the future was there already.
“We are not looking to replace at the moment. I’ve got a solid team and we just carry on.”
Francesco’s star-studded background
Barletta-born Francesco has worked across many of Claude’s projects
through the years, including the evolution of Hibiscus and later the acclaimed Claude Bosi at Bibendum, becoming one of Claude’s most trusted colleagues.
Francesco has competed in many world culinary competitions, winning awards and gold medals as part of the Italian national team.
He worked in Dubai and at Joël Robuchon’s La Table in Monte Carlo, either side of stints at Le Gavroche, working under Michel Roux and Albert Roux.
Francesco also undertook stages with Grant Achatz and Gordon Ramsay, before linking up with Claude Bosi.
The Staff Canteen has approached Francesco for comment.
Claude’s influence on London
Born in Lyon, Claude trained at prestigious restaurants including La Pyramide before moving to the UK in 1997.
He earned his first Michelin stars at Overton Grange, later achieving two stars at Hibiscus in Ludlow and again after relocating the restaurant to London.
In 2017 he opened Claude Bosi at Bibendum, which secured two Michelin stars in its first year.
Earlier this year, Bibendum announced its shock sudden closure.
Claude became chef patron of Brooklands at The Peninsula London in 2023, expanding his influence within London’s luxury dining scene.
Brooklands and The Peninsula London
Brooklands sits at the heart of The Peninsula London, the ultra-luxury hotel overlooking Hyde Park Corner.
The restaurant combines high-end dining with a transport-inspired aesthetic, including a Concorde model suspended dramatically above the dining room.
Since opening, it has drawn significant international attention, adding to The Peninsula brand’s reputation for exceptional culinary ambition in major cities around the world.
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Francesco Dibenedetto leaves Claude Bosi’s Brooklands
