in The Kitchen With… Head Chef, Bella Roma, Beckenham
Standing proudly within the streets of Beckenham, Bella Roma is an authentic, family-run Italian restaurant championing freshly-prepared, classic and modern Italian dishes with an exciting fine dining twist.
With exclusive access to the restaurant’s praised kitchen, a chance to taste their menu’s most popular dishes and an opportunity to hear all about the endeavours of both chef Jimmy and the passionate Bella Roma family, team iK were delighted to head to the heart of Beckenham for the tell all…
insideKENT’s exclusive interview with Bella Roma Head Chef, Jimmy Karaj:
Tell us about your culinary journey so far.
I have always loved cooking from a young age. I’ve also been very lucky to work at excellent restaurants alongside some very good chefs. It began for me in 1998, when I started as a commis chef at Artigiano in north London. After that, I moved on to a couple of French restaurants before making the decision that Italian food was more for me; simple and packed with flavour.
I then worked in a Cecconi’s restaurant where I met Michelin-starred chef, Stephen Terry, from the Walnut Tree restaurant in Wales and from whom I learnt and gained so much experience. After Cecconi’s, I joined the team at a new restaurant, Refettorio, working with Giorgio Locatelli, a well-known Italian Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, for 15 years. That’s where my career started to really build up, from a sous chef to a senior sous chef and then finally a head chef.
Overall, my passion for cooking has carried me throughout my career to date. The satisfaction of a happy customer complimenting my food makes me want to push myself and grow in order to create great dishes every day.
What’s the restaurant concept at Bella Roma?
Bella Roma highlights a perfect combination of classic and modern Italian dishes that incorporate a high-quality fine dining twist. Showcasing ingredients from the best suppliers of vegetables, meat and fish, our produce is sourced locally as much as possible with all our ingredients being freshly prepared from scratch daily.
As a family-run restaurant with a passion for authentic Italian dishes, Bella Roma always works to provide customers with excellent service alongside the very best high-quality menu.
What is your signature/favourite dish? Tell us about the recipe we’re showcasing?
Our signature dishes and bestsellers on the menu are definitely the scallops and the rack of lamb, which have been on the menu since the very beginning. The pan-fried scallops are a starter that’s served with celery puree, a fresh julienne celery and a rocket salad dressed with a saffron vinaigrette. Then, on our main menu, is the pan-fried rack of lamb with a mustard and herb crust, served with seasonal vegetables, creamy mash and a balsamic and veal sauce.
What ingredient could you not live without?
I would say meat, particularly steaks. Always a main ingredient I have stocked in the kitchen but also one that I really enjoy cooking in various ways.
Which chef, past or present, would you love to work in the kitchen with?
Giorgio Locatelli, who I worked with for a long time, is one of my favourites. I loved working with him and watching him cook – especially with the knowledge and passion he has for his work.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Peanut butter or marmite on toast before I go to bed is a favourite!
Bella Roma’s Instagram // Bella Roma’s TikTok
Be sure to check out Jimmy’s exclusive recipe to recreate at home one of Bella Roma’s most beloved dishes, Rack of Lamb with Seasonal Vegetables and Creamy Mash here.
For more food and drink inspiration click here to read our most recent issue.
