National Chef of the Year 2017 finalist Luciano Lucioli, is currently the group head chef at Lusso part of the CH&Co Group.

Luciano credits his mother for his love of cooking and started out in the industry at the age of 14 with a summer job working as a kitchen porter. After school Luciano found himself working for several Italian restaurants before moving to London to gain more experience. Since then Luciano has had stints at Murano, Rhodes 24, The Greenhouse and Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester before joining Lusso at Marks & Spencers.

How did it feel to get through to the final?

It felt amazing, my name was called last so my heart was beating really fast, when I heard my name I was quite happy! My goal was to be one of the ten finalists and I succeeded. 

Why did you enter National Chef of the Year?

I wanted to see what my limits were and if I could pass them. I also want to win it, last year I made the final and I learnt from that exprience. You learn from your mistakes and I've had three months to think about what to create for the final, and I've learnt from the experts. I will do my best to win it because it's a chance and I need to take it!

>>> Read more about this year's finalists here

On Tuesday, October 4 a new National Chef of the Year will be crowned. We take a closer look at this year's finalists hoping to produce winning dishes at the final at The Restaurant Show, which will impress the judging panel.