Given his TV persona, it’s almost easy to overlook Gordon Ramsay’s culinary achievements. His eponymous Chelsea restaurant celebrates a quarter of a century this year, the last twenty-two of those with three Michelin stars. The chef’s restaurant group has earned seventeen stars over the years and still holds seven.

Ramsay’s early work is dotted with exceptional places and names, from Harvey’s under Marco Pierre White to La Tante Claire under Pierre Koffman, via Le Gavroche for Albert Roux, and working in Paris Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon. 

With such impressive experience, customers are incredibly fortunate Ramsay has helped launch a wealth of talent himself. Not even counting the multitude of chefs who have staged in his restaurants all around the globe, Ramsay’s “stable” of head chefs is a modern who’s who of the culinary world such as; Marcus Wareing, Jason Atherton, Angela Hartnett and Clare Smyth.

Give it a year or two and one suspects James Sharp might achieve similar levels of recognition. As Executive Head Chef of Restaurant 1890, the intimate, 24 cover, tasting-menu-only restaurant at the iconic Savoy Hotel – the name, and menu, are tributes to Escoffier’s industry-changing tenure at The Savoy. Sharp’s assured, precise, creative cooking has found a perfect home. What’s more, in one of those perfect moments of restaurant synergy, James is one third of what could just be the perfect team, alongside General Manager Sarah Rhone, and Head of Wine Emanuel Pesqueira.

James discovered cooking while studying for a degree in Physical Education at Leeds Metropolitan University, making bread and fresh pasta for his housemate. By the time he graduated – and inspired by recipes from the three-star chef’s cookbook – James’s goal was to work at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, a goal he achieved. 

Over five years he progressed from Commis to Sous Chef then, under the mentorship of Matt Abé, James moved to Pétrus, before moving to Restaurant 1890 in January 2022.

Here he’s revelling in the challenge of recreating and celebrating Escoffier’s recipes while bringing them into the 21st century.

“You never stop learning,” James explains, “whether it’s a different cuisine, product, technique, or skill. At Restaurant 1890 we strive to use these new skills to offer guests a unique dining experience while still respecting the excellence synonymous with the Gordon Ramsay name.”

For Sarah, the challenge – and the pleasure – of front of house is “anticipating the guests’ needs before they know themselves.”

After nearly a decade with Phil Howard, first at the two Michelin-starred The Square and then as General Manager of the Michelin-starred Elystan Street, Sarah has been at the helm of Restaurant 1890, having joined as key lead of the pre-opening team in June 2021.

Emanuel Pesqueira is one of the country’s most respected and connected sommeliers, although life could have been very different. Emanuel started his career as a sous chef with Crystal Cruises. After rising through the ranks to become head chef, Emanuel had ambitions of becoming a food and beverage director, and decided to work in all the relevant roles.

After Emanuel’s stint as a restaurant manager, he became a junior sommelier where his career trajectory changed and he discovered his true passion. He’s now regarded as one of the top ten best sommeliers in the United Kingdom, according to the Top 100 Sommeliers competition, and judges at some of the world’s leading wine competitions, including the Decanter World Wine Awards, and Spain’s Concurso International de Vino Bacchus.

Emanuel joined Gordon Ramsay Restaurants as Head Sommelier of Restaurant 1890 in November 2021 where his exceptional knowledge and impeccable service ensured his promotion to Group Head of Wine for the Super Premium restaurant portfolio in September 2023. “Wine,” says Emanuel, “Is about the feelings it stirs inside you.”

With his extensive knowledge, access to The Savoy’s remarkable cellar, and love of the unusual – be that Madeira dating back to 1705, or a glass poured from a 27-litre bottle – Emanuel has the opportunity to help craft remarkable memories for guests.

As do James and Sarah, of course. Separately, the three are remarkable additions to any hospitality project. Together, the sky is the limit. There are, of course, internationally recognised awards that befit a restaurant of this quality and one suspects that, over the next few years, if they maintain this consistency, Restaurant 1890 will amass several of them.

 It is clear that for James, Sarah, Emanuel and team, this level of hospitality is simply in their blood and they will continue to deliver a truly memorable dining experience to an ever-growing number of impressed guest.

As a result, Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay is something very special indeed. You can sense it the second you enter and you’ll remember this experience long after you leave.

www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/restaurant-1890