EVERY BUSINESS HAS TO START SOMEWHERE AND LAGHI’S STARTED FAR EARLIER THAN YOU’D IMAGINE. MY EARLIEST MEMORY OF MY PASSION STARTED AT FOUR YEARS OLD, STANDING ON A STOOL AND HELPING MY MOTHER MAKE PASTA AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. FROM THAT POINT, I WAS HOOKED.

WHILST MY CAREER TOOK AN ALTERNATIVE PATH I ALWAYS KNEW THAT IF I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. I’D HOPED TO WORK WITH FOOD, AS MY FAMILY HAVE FOR MANY YEARS. AS AN ITALIAN, IT’S IN MY DNA! I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY BEHIND ME, AS THEY’VE ENCOURAGED MY PASSION AND HELPED BRING LAGHI’S TO FRUITION. SO HERE IT IS, AN AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT NO LESS, AND I REALLY HOPE YOU’LL SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN BORN FROM A LOVE OF FOOD AND COOKING FOR OTHERS, AND ENJOYING THE CULTURE OF GREAT FOOD AND WINE.

MY AIM IS TO BRING A LITTLE TASTE OF BOLOGNA TO BIRMINGHAM. HAPPILY I’M STILL MAKING PASTA WITH MY MUM TODAY (ALTHOUGH I NO LONGER NEED THE STOOL!).

LUCA LAGHI, OWNER

Although most find it hard to believe (mainly due to my lack of accent and tweed jackets) I’m a Yorkshire countryside girl through and through. I fell into the industry a year into my move to Birmingham and the last 8 years has been an incredible hospitality ride.

Although my move to Laghi’s may be new, I’ve been a familiar face to the Edgbaston dining scene and I can’t wait to welcome the community on my new adventure with me. I was fortunate to be trained by the best of the best of the Gastro Pub companies, whose passion and drive for quality and sustainability opened my eyes into the bigger picture of British provenance and produce. My aim is to continue my core trained values as I now pursue in my own direction – whether it be building relationships with neighbouring allotments to make the most of seasonal fruit and veg, local bee keepers for the sweetness to our cocktails, or giving back to the local community and working together with Birmingham charities.

My love for Brummy independents fuels my ambition to create Laghi’s into a place I’d visit in my spare time. Whether it’s meeting a friend for an Spritz, a couple of small plates and natter, gathering the entire family together to make new memories around the dinner table, or a quiet corner to plug in my laptop with a proper pot of Yorkshire brew. Laghi’s will continue to grow with us as a business and individuals and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

Charlotte Carter, General Manager

Growing up in a big Greek family, good food and quality time together round the table was part of our day to day life. Food was a way to share and celebrate, and was our livelihood too.

Working shifts in the family fish and chip shop from a young age inspired my decision to become a chef. After leaving school, I studied at UCB and began my career at Simpsons restaurant where I worked my way through the ranks from Commis to Head Chef. I’ve taken part in a few competitions along the way: the BCF Young Chef of the Year and Masterchef The Professionals in 2017 where I reached the semi-finals. In 2021, I won the BCF Senior Chef of the Year.

Leaving Simpsons after 13 years, I was looking for a new challenge. After chatting with my good friend Luca, we realised Laghi’s would be the place I could share my vision for a neighbourhood restaurant with a focus on delicious, accessible food. Our Restaurant Manager Charlotte completed the vision to deliver distinct service. I know Laghi’s will be that special place for friends and family to enjoy the important things. Good food and quality time together round the table is where it all begins.

Leo Kattou, Head Chef