An opera singer serenaded members of the community as a television chef opened his third Italian restaurant.

Caldesi opened its doors in Belsize Lane, in the heart of Belsize Village, on April 30.

The restaurant takes its name from Giancarlo Caldesi, who starred in the BBC series Return to Tuscany and has also appeared on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef.

Giancarlo has worked in London for more than 50 years. He opened his first restaurant in Marylebone in 2002 and has run cooking school La Cucina Cladesi with his wife Katie for nearly 17 years.

His new Belsize restaurant is managed by Dominico Fotia, with Giancarlo's eldest son Giorgio Caldesi curating the wine list while younger son Flavio brings his cocktail skills to the bar.

Ham & High: Flavio Caldesi, chief cocktail maker at Belsize Village's newest restaurant CaldesiFlavio Caldesi, chief cocktail maker at Belsize Village's newest restaurant Caldesi (Image: Belsize Village Business Association)

For the opening day, the family set up a buffet in the middle of the restaurant, where guests including Camden's Representative Deputy Lieutenant Roxane Zand, Belsize councillors and members of the community tucked into burrata, 'nduja and spicy Calabrian salami and quattro formaggio pizza with truffle.

"The launch went extremely well, amazingly actually, " said Giancarlo.

Ham & High: Back: Katie, Giorgio, Giancarlo Caldesi, Robert Stephenson-Padron and front, Roxane Zand, Representative Deputy Lieutenant CamdenBack: Katie, Giorgio, Giancarlo Caldesi, Robert Stephenson-Padron and front, Roxane Zand, Representative Deputy Lieutenant Camden (Image: Belsize Village Business Association)

"The buffet in the middle of the restaurant was absolutely delightful, a genius stroke, so we're intending to do that for Sunday lunch.

"It was Giorgio's idea so I champion it. We also had an opera singer here, it was magical."

Ham & High: Giancarlo Caldesi with wife Katie and sons Flavio and Georgio at the launch of Caldesi in Belsize VillageGiancarlo Caldesi with wife Katie and sons Flavio and Georgio at the launch of Caldesi in Belsize Village (Image: Belsize Village Business Association)

The chef worked with Antonio Cannavacciuolo of Simposium Hospitality Consultants, who led operations and secured the site after previous tenant Calici closed suddenly in December 2023.

Following a £400,000 refurbishment, Giancarlo praised Antonio’s work behind the scenes.

He said: "I genuinely feel that without my wife and Antonio it wouldn't have happened.

"We've done a lot of work on it and it's lovely, it's a beautiful place."

Ham & High: Belsize Park's Caldesi restaurant top team: L-R: Domenico Fotia, Giancarlo Caldesi, Antonio Cannavacciulolo and Giorgio CaldesiBelsize Park's Caldesi restaurant top team: L-R: Domenico Fotia, Giancarlo Caldesi, Antonio Cannavacciulolo and Giorgio Caldesi (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Antonio said: "I feel super proud to be working with the Caldesis. I've been working with them for the past six years.

"I spent a lot of time exploring new things but I came back to this business a year ago because I want to see this business grow." 

Robert Stephenson Padron of the Belsize Village Business Association attended the launch. He said: "Caldesi, we wish you many decades and beyond of success and we thank you for the immense joy you’ve already brought to our community and which you will provide in the future."