Chefs Sertaç Dirik and Marcelo Rodrigues to launch inaugural Spotlight residency at St Martins Lane with Turkish-Portuguese menu

Chefs Sertaç Dirik and Marcelo Rodrigues have been announced as the first culinary residents for Spotlight, a new rotating cultural and culinary programme at St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden. The residency will run from 25^th February to 7^th March, and will feature a collaborative menu drawing on contemporary Turkish and Portuguese influences. The initiative, developed in partnership with creative studio Whipped Cream, aims to bring together leading voices in food and culture for limited-run dining experiences.

Dirik, formerly co-head chef at Mangal II and recipient of Observer Food Monthly’s Young Chef of the Year, returns to London’s restaurant scene after an 18-month hiatus. He is known for his modern interpretations of Turkish cuisine, blending traditional techniques with seasonal British produce. Rodrigues, originally from Portugal, is recognised for his inventive, produce-led Mediterranean cooking, with experience at restaurants such as The Marksman, Brawn, and Sargasso, as well as creative pop-ups like Rainbow Room.

The chefs’ joint residency will present a menu that explores the intersections of Turkish and Portuguese culinary traditions. Dishes include Bikini Toast with Sucuk, Hot Honey and Guindilla, Scallop Crudo with Green Tomato and Olive Ezme and Battered Bacalao with Slow-cooked Onions and Dill Emulsion. The menu will also feature slow-braised dishes that balance spice, citrus and comfort. A selection of wines from Turkey and Portugal, as well as a bespoke cocktail list inspired by both cuisines, will be available.

Dirik commented, “I’m really excited to kick off the programming for Spotlight at St Martins Lane, collaborating with the great Marcelo Rodriguez. We’ve brought together really classic Turkish and Portuguese dishes that mean a lot to us both, finding the similarities between our cultures and presenting them in our own styles. Think spicy, warm and comforting dishes.”

The venue provides a curated platform for rotating culinary and cultural programming, with each residency intended to create time-limited experiences that reflect London’s diverse and progressive food scene. Hasham Soliman, general manager of Sanderson & St Martins Lane, said, “Shared culture is exactly what Spotlight is about. Sertaç and Marcelo bring a warmth and honesty to their cooking that feels relevant to London right now. This residency is a celebration of collaboration, comfort and creativity, and a very exciting way to begin the Spotlight programming at St Martins Lane.” The organisers have promised announcements regarding future residencies in the coming weeks.

Food Desk

Sertaç Dirik and Marcelo Rodrigues’s residence takes place from 25^th February until 7^th March 2026 at Spotlight, St Martin’s Lane, 45 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4HX. To book tickets, visit here.

For further information about Sertaç Dirik, visit his Instagram here.

For further information about Marcelo Rodrigues, visit his Instagram here.

For further information about Spotlight, visit the restaurant’s website here.