Ivan Vukadinovich takes over the stoves at Frenchie Covent Garden

He replaces Victor Avonds, who left earlier this year to launch her own eponymous restaurant in Antwerp.

Vukadinovic joined Frenchie as a demi chef de partie aged just 22, and has progressed through the ranks, working closely alongside the restaurant group’s chef patron Gregory Marchand both in London and at Frenchie's sister site on the Rue du Nil in Paris.

He started his career at the Belmond Hotel Cirpiani in Venice where, aged 18, he was the hotel’s youngest ever demi chef de partie.

“I joined Frenchie as a junior chef and am so thankful to have been given the chance to develop my career with the teams both in London and Paris," says Vukadinovic.

"I knew early on that Frenchie was going to be the place for me, and I’m so pleased Greg and team have supported me and my ideas over the past four years.

"I’m thrilled to now be head chef here in Covent Garden and look forward to getting stuck in with my team, whom I hope I can support in the same way.  I am so excited to be taking up this new challenge and can’t wait to show you our new dishes in the coming weeks”. 

Marchand opened Frenchie Covent Garden in 2016, having launched his Parisian flagship in 2009.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have been able to promote within our Frenchie family and Ivan could not be more deserving," he says of Vukadinovic's appointment.

"Seeing talent grow from strength to strength is something we value here, and Ivan’s skills both in and out of the kitchen are exemplary – I know the restaurant will be in the very best of hands under his guidance. His talent, skills in the kitchen and commitment have proved he was the perfect choice of us and we can’t wait to welcome guests in to see for themselves.”

Frenchie Covent Garden is currently ranked number 26​​ on the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards top 100 list.