Alex Dilling **
Alex Dilling: A Culinary Visionary
Alex Dilling’s namesake restaurant opened in September 2022 at the five-star Hotel Café Royal in London. Within just six months, his 34-cover restaurant made history by achieving two Michelin stars in 2023. Renowned for his imaginative and refined cuisine, Dilling has established himself as a leading force in the London culinary scene.
With a strong international following, Alex has hosted exclusive pop-ups and events across the globe. In 2023 alone, he collaborated with some of the world’s most prestigious hotel groups, including Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, with appearances in Thailand, Greece, Singapore, and Mauritius. His growing reputation was further cemented in 2024, when his restaurant was featured on The 50 Best Discovery list.
Raised between London and the U.S., Alex has worked alongside some of the world’s finest chefs, refining his technical skills across New York, Paris, and London. Drawing inspiration from classical French cuisine, he crafts modern, ingredient-driven dishes using the finest seasonal produce.
Prior to opening his own restaurant, Alex was the Executive Chef at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and The Greenhouse, maintaining two Michelin stars at both establishments. Following The Greenhouse’s closure in 2020, Alex embarked on a journey of international collaborations, curating unique pop-up experiences with highly respected chefs and renowned establishments.
At his London restaurant, Alex works alongside Head Chef Pierre Minotti, with whom he previously collaborated at The Greenhouse and The Connaught—a partnership built on shared expertise and culinary excellence.
Victoria Sheppard: The Visionary Behind Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal
Victoria Sheppard, a hospitality entrepreneur, is the driving force behind Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, the only female-owned two-Michelin-star restaurant in the UK. At just 34 years old, Victoria partnered with Hotel Café Royal and chef Alex Dilling to bring this ambitious venture to life, redefining excellence in London's fine dining scene.
Victoria’s collaboration with Alex dates back to her time as PR & Marketing Director at The Greenhouse, where she worked closely with him when he joined as Executive Chef. In addition to her role at Hotel Café Royal, Victoria is also the owner of Queens of Mayfair, a high-end coffee shop in London’s prestigious Mayfair district.
Her extensive hospitality and marketing expertise spans leading luxury establishments. Prior to launching her own ventures, Victoria worked at Fortnum & Mason in special projects marketing and served as Group PR & Marketing Director at the Marc restaurant group, overseeing seven businesses in the luxury hospitality sector.
Victoria’s impact on the industry has earned her significant recognition. She was named one of the ‘30 Under 30 in Media’ by the Daily Mail and one of the ‘30 Under 30’ at the Restaurant Marketing Awards.
As a visionary entrepreneur, Victoria continues to shape the future of hospitality, blending culinary excellence with innovative marketing and business strategy.