Gaucho appoints Max Castaldo as executive chef
Steak restaurant chain Gaucho has appointed Argentinian-born Max Castaldo as the group’s new executive chef.
Castaldo has worked at some of the world’s most renowned South American and Asian restaurants, giving him experience producing top quality food and leading multiple teams of chefs.
His role at Gaucho will see him researching and developing the restaurant’s menus on an ongoing basis, with his experience in consultation vital to his role in coaching and training chefs.
Castaldo’s most recent position was at The Lanesborough Hotel, where he worked as head chef from July 2017. This role saw him overseeing the hotel’s F&B outlets and events, including Céleste, the 1 Michelin-starred restaurant.
His previous roles include postings at Nobu Berkeley Street, Lasarte in Barcelona, the Rosewood Hotel and W Hotel.
The restaurant chain has had a challenging year as it came close to falling into administration and was forced to close its sister brand Cau, resulting in the loss of 540 jobs. The company was eventually acquired by M Restaurants, with its CEO Martin Williams saying he would work to “re-establish the brand as the leading premium restaurant group in the UK and diners’ ‘go to’ favourite.”
