Tarja joined 28-50 Maddox Street in 2016 and quickly progressed to Head Chef. In this role, Tarja manages a team of six chefs and is responsible for developing seasonal dishes to match and complement the bar’s extensive wine collection. Tarja also oversees service and operations in the kitchen.
On arrival in London, Tarja joined the award-winning Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Group, working closely with Chef Gordon Ramsay to launch four restaurants within the brand, namely Heddon Street Kitchen, Maze Grill Park Walk, Maze Grill Royal Hospital Road and Bread Street Kitchen in the Atlantis Hotel, Dubai.
Tarja’s cooking is strongly influenced by her wine expertise. In 2011, she trained as a sommelier at Finland’s Turku Vocational Institute, and went on to place third in the finals of Copa Jerez 2016, where she created a three-course meal to pair with three sherries picked by 28-50 Maddox Street’s Head Sommelier Alan Bednarski.
Named after the latitudes within which most of the world’s vineyards are located, the 28°-50° Wine Workshop and Kitchen forms part of Texture Restaurant Group owned by Michelin- awarded Chef Aggi Sverrisson. 28-50° Maddox Street, the third in the collection of three sites, opened in the heart of Mayfair in 2013.