The pastry chef, cook book author and judge on Channel Four’s Junior Bake Off has announced on Instagram that she will open Gina, which is described as a ‘chophouse meets family-run restaurant, run by a couple who argue all the time’.
Described as being ‘years in the making’, Gina will be located in Chingford in east London and takes its name from Taiano’s late mother.
Gill say the couple intend to share details of the process from getting the keys to opening day “sharing exactly what it takes to launch a restaurant in today’s world. No sugarcoating, just the real, raw reality”.
They will launch a Substack newsletter called Club Ginam, which promises paying subscribers “a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the process—step-by-step insights, our black book of contacts, and real, transparent business learnings”.
Subscribers will also get access to invite-only tasting sessions, lotteries for free tables, dessert evenings and opening perks.
“If you’re a budding business owner, fan of good food, restaurant dreamer, or just intrigued about the process, this is for you. Let’s build something together,” Gill adds.
The restaurant is being self funded and has no investors, according to the couple.
Gill first met Taiano Llewelyn’s restaurant in London’s Herne Hill when she was pastry chef and he was sous chef. The couple married in May 2023.
The new restaurant’s Instagram handle describes the project as: “We’re a husband-and-wife chef duo braving the wild ride of launching our first restaurant in the worst year for restaurants ever.”