Leonardo Fonseca Celis

9th – 13th July

Hiša Franco, El Chato, Noma, Disfrutar, Central, Quintonil. No, this isn’t some sort of gastro fantasy bucket list; it’s the CV of Bogotá mega-talent, Leonardo Fonseca. Let’s just say Leo and the World’s 50 Best are on first name terms.

Despite coming to kitchens late, Leo became head chef at Colombia’s best restaurant, El Chato, at just 25. Two years later he was taking the reins at Slovenia’s three-star Hiša Franco: the best restaurant in the country and 32nd best in the world. After featuring in an episode of Netflix documentary Chef’s Table, visits to Hiša Franco’s website went from 200 to 10,000, overnight. While others left the kitchen under the newfound pressure, Leo dialled in, clocking up over five years as head chef under Ana Roš, AKA The World’s Best Female Chef.

With plans to open his own restaurant in 2025, Leo is hosting pop-ups from Taipei to Bangkok, and now London. Inspired by food from his travels and Colombian heritage, and executed with his three-star, best-in-the-world background, his menu at Carousel is packed with acidity, spice and razor sharp technique. Think ‘Arepa with Sour Cream, Celeriac cooked in Banana Leaf, Chicken Skin, Smoked Bone Marrow, Water Cress’; ‘Poached Prawn, Horseradish, Pork Sauce, Green Papaya’; and ‘Lamb Saddle, Chickpea, Miso, Pears & Parsnip’. 

This is your chance to see a next generation master in action. Don’t miss it.