About Lussmanns
Our first Lussmanns opened as an Eatery in November 2002, just off the Portobello Road in North Kensington. While we quickly established ourselves as the locals' favourite; we also attracted builders and B celebrities alike who would rub shoulders over coffee and croissants.
Quickly earning a reputation for great sandwiches and being able to remember our locals favourite tipple, our name even reached the BBC at White City where David Bowie, unhappy with the food offering on the Jonathon Ross show, had demanded better. Lussmanns had made it big, if only for one night!
We then branched out into "food-to-go" delivered by bicycle, followed by a second “in-house cafe” at John Brown Citrus Publishing, the current publishers of Waitrose Illustrated, amongst others.
Unable to expand further but impatient to build on our early successes, after two years we decided it was time to move and left London for a new home in Hertfordshire to finally open a real restaurant!
Andrei Lussmann
Lussmann ltd
Opening night St Albans, 2004.
Andrei, Katrina and Tim.
Andrei Lussmann
I have worked in the Hospitality sector for nineteen years, initially gaining experience with companies such as Forte, Bass and T.G.I Fridays during which I completed my Hospitality & Business degree at Birmingham Polytechnic. I then joined Pizza Express, managing some of their flagship restaurants before progressing to directing all of Pizza Express’s operations in the Channel Islands, eventually becoming one of their International Franchise Managers.
After leaving Pizza Express, I further developed my portfolio with Fish Diner and latterly, Corney & Barrow in the City where I developed an excellent understanding of and thirst for good wine.
In 2002, I set up Lussmanns with the simple view that you can enjoy good ethically sourced food, served in an attractive and timely manner at terrific value for money prices.
Andrei lives just outside St Albans with his partner Katrina and two children.
Favourite Dish: free range chicken schnitzel with garlic & chilli linguine
Tim Hope
I am Operations Director at Lussmanns, looking after the day to day running of the restaurants, working with Andrei to build the best restaurant brand in the UK. I met Andrei at Pizza Express in Guildford in 1996.
In 2000, I bought and operated the biggest nightclub in the Southern Alps. After 3 years I decided to come back to England and met up with Andrei who had just set up the original Lussmanns in North Kensington. From this tiny coffee shop, serving 300 customers a day building loyal customers from the start we sold up and came to Hertford in 2004. With 80 staff and bags of passion, I am really looking forward to seeing the company grow further.
Favourite Dish: sticky toffee pudding and vanilla ice cream
Adrian Podmore
I worked as an Investment Accountant for fifteen years with several fund management companies including Lazards, Citibank and Barclays. After leaving the City, I started an MSc in Renewable Energy, and I am training to become a qualified bookkeeper. Furthermore, I am involved in voluntary conservation work and managing a wood.
Favourite dish: local wild rabbit & chestnut mushroom linguine
Dick Kelly
I was formerly a Senior Executive with Access Credit cards with both NatWest Bank and the Royal bank of Scotland and was responsible for the creation and development of several business operations in these global brands.
Having helped to finance Lussmanns initial project in Kensington, I remain as an adviser to this young thriving company – now with three restaurants acting as a Non Executive Director offering support and financial expertise when required.
Favourite dish: line caught smoked haddock, chestnut mushrooms, sautéed potatoes with garlic & parsley
