I’m Ali Najafloo. I’m from Tehran, and I’m the owner and head chef of Massimo Restaurant in London.

Since childhood, I’ve loved learning, creating and building something of my own. Photography, graphic design and interior design shaped my eye for detail — an approach I now bring to every part of Massimo.

My love of cooking began beside my mother. Watching the care she put into every meal taught me that good food is about more than ingredients: it is about love, patience and making people feel at home.

At Massimo, I prepare traditional dishes from across Iran, with a special focus on Gilan. To learn its cooking first-hand, I travelled to a village in Gilan and watched a local woman prepare its regional dishes.

Those experiences inspired me to share these flavours in London, bringing the warmth of Iranian home cooking to our guests.

I believe cooking begins with curiosity and respect for the food and its culture. Every dish deserves time, attention and care.

Massimo reflects my own ideas and hard work, from the food and interiors to the logo, menu and website. It has taken many late nights, but seeing our guests enjoy what we’ve created makes it worthwhile.

I want every meal here to feel as though someone in your own family has lovingly prepared it for you. That sense of comfort is at the heart of Massimo.

I hope my journey encourages young people to believe in their ideas. With patience, learning and determination, something meaningful can grow, step by step.

My dream is to bring Iranian food and hospitality to more people around the world.

Ali NajaflooMassimo Restaurant