F Word Winner Joins Bianco Nero

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Gordon Ramsay discovery Tam manages top local restaurant

Tamer Hassan, a young chef discovered by Gordon Ramsay, has joined Hammersmith Italian restaurant Bianco Nero.

At just 18, Tam was selected from 1,500 chefs to be included in the first series of the F Word. He was the youngest finalist and, as joint runner up, was offered a position at Claridges.

He decided, however, instead to complete a Grande Diploma at Le Cordon Bleu and his stated ambition was always to own and run his own restaurants. After a spell at Maxims in Paris, and having helped run his father’s restaurant Reubens in Baker Street he now feels ready to take over and run his own restaurant.

He has joined up with existing owner Claire Derry and is taking over day to day management of West London restaurant.

Tam says: " I want Bianco Nero to offer all types of Italian food, from really creative dishes, to simple food that is freshly made from the best ingredients, for people wanting a quick lunch meal. We had a wood fired pizza oven that was not being used, so we can now offer pizza to eat in and take out, but we also have a team that can create anything. "

Tamer has worked with Head Chef Gaetano Monteriso  to create a new menu and has brought into the kitchen team a specialist pizza chef.

Claire says: " I am delighted to have Tam join us, he has worked in his father’s restaurant since he was a small boy and although he is only 22 years old, he knows all there is to know about running a restaurant, it’s in his blood.

" He brings a passion for food and limitless energy. He is at the markets at the crack of dawn selecting and buying the freshest ingredients to cook for our customers, and sometimes working through the night on the refurbishment of our downstairs area to give us more covers for Christmas time. I am thrilled to have him as a partner, and I am sure our customers will be impressed by all his new ideas. "

Bianco Nero, at 206 - 208 Hammersmith Road, is open Mon-Sat, 12-3pm & 5.30 -10pm (Closed Sundays).

For reservations call 020 8748 0212.

September 18, 2009