London chef defends his £50 beef and gold leaf sandwiches after being called out on social media

A personal chef has defended his new vary of luxurious sandwiches after it was extensively ridiculed on social media over the weekend. 

Andrea Zagatti, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef who caters for the wealthy and well-known in west London, launched his new Mr Z idea on Saturday, which sees the likes of smoked salmon and caviar croissants (£35) delivered by way of black Mercedes.

In addition to his £50 choice through which rib-eye steak is roofed in edible gold leaf, Mr Zagatti’s menu contains hen, jamon de bellota and black truffle (£30), and mortadella, burrata, and Sicilian pistachios in focaccia (£30). 

Comparable sandwiches to the latter, that’s, mortadella in focaccia, London’s hottest selection by far over the past 12 months, prices £7.80 at Cafe Deco in Bloomsbury, and £8.50 from Larry’s in Peckham.

Costly sandwiches

The 29-year-old stated as long as there’s ample demand he’ll proceed to make high-end sandwiches, and stated he offered 60 in his first two days.

Mr Zagatti instructed i: “The thought got here once I made my girlfriend a smoked salmon croissant, and we thought, ‘that is truly a good suggestion, let’s promote these’. 

“I offered 60 sandwiches in my first weekend. I believed I’d promote three. I misplaced a lot cash as a result of I used to be far too beneficiant with my fillings, however I feel I’ve a great enterprise mannequin right here if I scale up – I wish to flip this right into a viable enterprise.

“Hospitality has been so badly hit in the course of the pandemic, so this can be a manner for me to earn cash. I spent almost each penny of my financial savings final yr as I couldn’t work. I reside a life-style surrounded by essentially the most rich folks however I’m not very wealthy myself. I’m fully self-made.”

The sandwiches have been known as “insensitive” at finest. Mr Zagatti stated he’s fortunate to have established a community of excessive web value people by working as a personal chef in London and overseas.

Truffle mayonnaise

He stated he likes the “loopy life round him” and as long as he can work for the “one per cent”, he’ll, although he understands why his sandwiches may provoke anger elsewhere within the business. 

“Truthful sufficient – lots of people received’t like the concept of a £50 sandwiches,” the chef instructed i. 

“However I consider sandwiches may be luxurious gadgets. They are often £5 or £50. Perhaps much more – I’ve plans to go even additional. 

“Everybody has their very own opinion. I perceive some folks shall be offended. However I feel: folks spend tens of millions on automobiles, and watches, and holidays, and that carries on, and meals can be a luxurious, so why not sandwiches?

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“I perceive it’s troublesome for some folks. There have been some posts on social media mocking me. It’s not insulting. It’s good promoting.” 

Mr Zagatti stated he’s unapologetic in constructing his social media presence, which exhibits off what seems to be an exceptionally moneyed life-style. 

“I’m very fortunate I’ve a gorgeous home, and day by day we open a bottle of wine. I can’t complain or be offended.”