'We've never been so excited about an opening': Big Mamma Group to launch restaurant in Italy

Big Mamma Group is to open its first restaurant in Italy at the end of this year.

The company, which was valued at £233m after selling a majority stake to private equity firm McWin earlier this year, will launch a Gloria restaurant in Milan in early December.

It marks Big Mamma's first foray into the country which inspired its cuisine.

Big Mamma was founded in Paris in 2013 and has expanded to 23 Italian restaurants across France, Monaco, Spain, Germany, and the UK.

It has become known for its extravagantly decorated restaurants and its five London restaurants include Jacuzzi, a four-storey, 179-cover ‘palazzo' decorated with plants, Roman statues, and Murano glass.

The 225-cover Milan restaurant will be inspired by a "glamourous, opulent villa from the mid-1960s" and feature bespoke chandeliers and striped gold and white marble flooring, while the menu will offer the group's own twist on Italian recipes.

"Opening a restaurant in Milan is the most significant stage of a magnificent European journey that has shaped our identity," Big Mamma said in an announcement.

"Today, our mission begins: to take up the great challenge of sharing the Big Mamma experience with the Milanese, serving a menu full of authentic Italian recipes with our own French and European twist, in a special and beautiful restaurant.

"The entire team is holding its breath behind the restaurant doors. We have never been so thrilled and excited about an opening and can't wait to welcome you."

McWin also backs bakery chain Gail's, German pizza and pasta chain L'Osteria and hospitality incubator White Rabbit Projects.

When the group was awarded the Restaurateur of the Year – Group Catey earlier this year, industry judges said founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux had brought "fun and extravagance to the London restaurant world".