Norman, Russell

Russell Norman spent four years running some of London's most venerated restaurants in the Caprice Holdings group, before turning his back on the high life, getting a tattoo of an octopus on his back and setting up his own place in scruffy Soho. Fusing the energy of New York with the cuisine of Venice, it was an instant hit. POLPO has been followed in quick succession by Polpetto, da Polpo, Spuntino and Mishkin's among others. Russell Norman lives in London.

With 140 recipes of Venetian dishes from London's most buzzing restaurant, published by Bloomsbury in May 2012, "POLPO" is a dazzling