Carousel hosts Italian takeover Murra: A month-long glimpse into the new wave of chefs

This month, Carousel, London’s main platform for guest chefs, is set to host Murra’s residency. Throughout January, in collaboration with Rome’s Cultivar Studio, the pop-up series will feature young Italian chefs who are bringing a refreshing change to the country’s culinary landscape. Murra marks the beginning of 2024, coinciding with Carousel’s tenth year.

The chefs

3^rd -6^th January 2024: Nino Rossi, Qafiz (Calabria)

The series kicks off this week with Nino Rossi from Calabria’s Qafiz, where local ingredients from Calabria’s sea and mountains are transformed into creative dishes. The chef, along with creative director Rossella Audino, showcases dishes like Oyster, Pickle, Soppressata with Vanilla & Potato Foam and Sweetbread, Calabrese Ponzu, Almond, Caviar with Fresh Oregano.

9^th-13^th January 2024: Luciano Monosilio, Luciano (Rome)

Dubbed the “King of Carbonara”, Luciano Monosilio redefines Roman cuisine, boldly blending innovation with Rome’s rich culinary traditions. Earning his first Michelin star at 27, he honed his craft in Italy’s best kitchens, including Uliassi and Piazza Duomo. His neo trattoria, Luciano – Cucina Italiana, features a micro-pastificio producing high-quality dried pasta. His menus, both intuitive and experimental, showcase dishes like Grilled Leek with Nori and Ricotta and Fassona Beef Tartare with Marrow and Saffron.

16^th-20^th January 2024: Benedetto Rullo, Lorenzo Stefanini and Stefano Terigi , Giglio (Lucca)

Three friends – Benedetto Rullo, Lorenzo Stefanini and Stefano Terigi – serve up a progressive  cuisine incorporating French techniques and the occasional use of international ingredients: a nod to their experience in some of the world’s best restaurants, from Relæ in Copenhagen to Ryugin in Tokyo and Les Solistes in Berlin. Awarded a Michelin star in 2018, the restaurant – housed in an 18^th century palazzo – offers a menu that changes with the seasons, ensuring they feature dishes that also tie in with the territory.

23^rd-27^th January 2024: Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi, Retrobottega (Rome)

The series concludes with Retrobottega in Rome, a hotspot for food enthusiasts drawn to its funky atmosphere and communal tables. Led by chefs Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi, both with a Michelin-starred background, the restaurant is known for its cuisine that skilfully combines seasonal, locally foraged ingredients with contemporary techniques and flavour, all accompanied by an unapologetic sound system.

Murra’s residency at Carousel is not just another series of pop-ups; it’s a celebration of evolving Italian cuisine. Each chef brings a unique flair, merging Italian traditions with contemporary influences, to create an unforgettable dining experience for London’s crowd of gourmets.

Food Desk

For further information about the Murra series and to book visit Carousel’s website here.