Giorgio Locatelli
One of the best Italian chefs in Britain is also a lover of Italian motorcycles, especially V-twins. He grew up in a small Italian village on Lake Maggiore where his family ran a Michelin starred restaurant. When you are 13 years old you must have a bike, or a scooter - you must have some transport; the bike was instant freedom.

Giorgio said his father had a MV Agusta and did a bit of racing when he was younger. He always had one of those beautiful Lambrettas. I can sometimes see him saying "yeah yeah, really really, I've got to go," as my mum was going off at him. He was just doing exactly what I do now as I ride off on my Aprilia!

With his family running a restaurant, Giorgio developed an appreciation and respect for food at a very early age.

From working in local restaurants in Italy and Switzerland, he moved to England and worked at The Savoy under Anton Edelmann. Giorgio moved to Paris, working at Restaurant Laurent and La Tour D'Argent. A couple of years later, he was head chef at Olivo, Eccleston Street, before opening Zafferano, in February 1995.

His second restaurant, Spighetta, Blandford Street, opened in '97 and its sister restaurant, Spiga, Wardour Street followed in '98.

Giorgio was consultant chef when Cecconi's re-launched in Burlington Gardens, London. Then in February 2002 Locanda Locatelli opened in Seymour Street, London W1


Simon Scott
A long time Ducati rider! His trackday ride is a tricked out 996SPS dripping with black carbon, gold magnesium alloy and colour-coded hoses. Plus a Monster S4R as a commuter to get him into work as MD of Graphic-Comms-UK, the US paper and print management giant. Life's many twists and turns eventually led Si to acquire a trackday company. simon.scott@graphiccommunications.co.uk


Roy Stacey
The charitable founding ex editor of Italianbike magazine ran Giorgio Locatelli's first charity ride-out back in 2002; part of a joint project with the magazine.

The idea of a solely Italian bike publication glimpsed dawn's early light in Sydney in 1999, having been seduced by looks and sounds of a red Ducati in Darling Harbour, whilst sipping an espresso. The mantra being Italian motos are a lifestyle!

He still writes about and photographs Italian bikes of a certain age. Seemingly (if you believe the trade press) one of a rare breed of people to own three Ducatis that haven't unreliably broken down, or rusted into a brown heap of metal compost.

Currently, he's writing a book about bass guitars. A passion that started at school, having studied with the aptly named John Bass, once principal bass player of the BBC Concert Orchestra. He still plays with his jazz-fusion group; and spends inordinate amounts of cash on bass guitars. Email: roystacey@pubnet.co.uk


Mike Valente
One of the UK's leading photographers, a self confessed snapper of big boys toys; cars, boats, planes and motorcycles. Whose client list includes, BMW GB, Ford UK, Volvo, Air Hanson and, of course Italianbike magazine, amongst many others.

Trained and obtained degrees; B.A. Hons (Hornsey College of Art), Royal College of Art, M.Des (RCA, London). He's worked for the BBC, 20th Century Fox (pre publicity film photography) and as chief stills man for International Musician. Following a spell at Haymarket Publishing he went freelance. For some 12 years he's contributed to European publications; magazines, periodicals and national newspapers plus Channel 4TV. Very much into photographic techniques, digital imaging and has an extensive photo library. Email: valente@batnet.com