Italian-born Cardoso has worked with Hartnett for ten years in various capacities and currently oversees the kitchen at the Mayfair fine dining stalwart as head chef.
Pip Lacey has been announced as his replacement at the Michelin-starred restaurant. Lacey – who currently holds the position of senior sous chef - joined the Murano brigade in June 2011, having previously worked with Hartnett at York and Albany. Her promotion means that three of the kitchens within the former Ramsay protégé’s burgeoning restaurant empire are now run by women.
“Pip is an extremely gifted chef, who will continue to maintain the high standards I set for Murano,” says Hartnett. “I wish Diego all the best. In the ten years I have worked with him, he has grown to become an incredible talent who is now more than ready to take the next step in his career.”
Sara Kent has also recently joined the Murano team as general manager, from her previous role as hospitality manager at Hartnett’s restaurant at the Whitechapel Gallery.
“I’m particularly pleased to be able to manage the developments for Murano from within, and excited by the prospect of working with this dynamic new team to advance the restaurant in the coming months and years,” adds Hartnett.
Murano celebrated its fifth birthday last year and remains Hartnett’s flagship restaurant with its unashamedly luxurious look and distinctive hybrid of French and Italian cookery. In 2010 Hartnett bought former mentor and boss Gordon Ramsay out of the restaurant in an amicable split from Gordon Ramsay Holdings.