San Carlo CEO Marcello Distefano awarded as Person of the Year at R200 awards

The R200 Dinner and Awards are held every year to honour the best and brightest in hospitality, celebrating the key achievements in the UK restaurant industry over the past year. This year’s awards and dinner were held at Big Mamma’s Circolo Popolare restaurant in Manchester.

San Carlo Groups CEO, Marcello Distefano, was presented at this year’s ceremony, scooping the prestigious Person of the Year Award sponsored by Poppleston Allen.

The award recognises outstanding achievement and innovation in the hospitality sector, and Distefano’s contributions to overseeing the company’s growth across the UK and overseas over the past two decades, helping establish it as the UK’s leading premium casual dining brand, have earned him the prestigious award.

San Carlo was established by Marcello’s father, Carlo Distefano, and opened in Birmingham in 1992. Since then, the Group has grown to become a £60 million restaurant empire which currently numbers 25 authentic Italian restaurants across the UK, from Covent Garden, Piccadilly and Knightsbridge Green in London to Bristol, Leicester, Liverpool, Leeds, Cheshire, Manchester and several across the Middle East and Miami, opening soon.

Managing Partner, Graeme Cushion, presented this award and said: “This award truly reflects on Marcello’s leadership, impressive strides and dedication to the trade as he continues to expand San Carlo both nationally and internationally.”

Poppleston Allen, a leading legal firm specialising in licensing for the hospitality sector, was a proud sponsor of the award. Their support for the R200 Awards highlights their commitment to honouring hospitality leaders who set the benchmark in the hospitality field.

For further information contact Carl Weston, Partner and Head of Marketing, using c.weston@popall.co.uk