Meet the Team

Eloise Emley

Head of Marketing

Arriving at Chaiyo in April 2024 as Senior Brand Manager, Eloise’s time at Chaiyo has spanned a period of rapid growth, a perfect storm of opportunity and challenge from a brand perspective, and one that shows no sign of slowing down. Her love of storytelling is rivalled only by a love of spice, both of which we have in spades.

The Chaiyo team is defined by a unique spirit: a voracious passion, energy, and appetite for a challenge.

A kaleidoscope of characters and skills, we’re proud to have built a team grounded in a shared vision, celebrating the joys and nuance of Thai culture and cuisine. This comes with a certain obsessiveness, a commitment to delivering the best, an infectious desire to learn, and to share. Above all, it’s an extension of true Thai hospitality, a generosity, warmth, and ingenuity that inspires us daily.

careers

ALBIE BARRATT

Director of Ops

No stranger to Thailand, Albie joined Chaiyo in 2023 as Head of Operations after two years living in Bangkok, and nearly a decade of experience across internationally renowned hospitality concepts in Southeast Asia. With a strong commercial and strategic focus, Albie leads Chaiyo’s operational team across existing venues and new projects.

MICHELE CAROLLO

Head Chef, Speedboat Soho

With the Speedboat Bar team since launch, Michele first joined as Sous Chef before becoming Head Chef just 18 months later. From cooking with Speedboat Bar in Hong Kong, to travelling through Bangkok and the Southern provinces with Luke and the team, Michele’s humble and considered approach ensure that he and the team continue to learn and evolve.

GOLF SRIVIMON

Head Chef, Plaza Covent Garden

Originally from Bangkok, Golf moved to London in 2007, bringing with him a love and knowledge of Thai cooking that has shaped his career ever since. Joining Chaiyo ahead of the opening of Plaza Covent Garden, he now leads the kitchen as Head Chef, championing the bold flavours of Southern Thailand. A chef through and through, Golf’s skills go far beyond Thai food, with a talent for cooking dishes from all corners of the world.

GIAN MARCO TOSTI

General Manager, Plaza Tottenham Court Road

Joined Chaiyo in 2025 as General Manager, Gian Marco’s first experience working with Thai food has been one of discovery. Originally from Italy, he quickly found a shared appreciation for ingredients, tradition, and the importance of bringing people together around food. Drawn to Chaiyo’s culture and the distinct personality of each restaurant, he brings his passion for hospitality to every service — and has even discovered a newfound appreciation for Thai basil along the way.

MARY SAYWELL

General Manager, Plaza Borough

Mary joined as Assistant General Manager in 2022 for the opening of Speedboat Bar, before taking the helm at Plaza Khao Gaeng Tottenham Court Road as General Manager. Leading the team from strength to strength over the following two years, she’s now headed south of the river to open Plaza Borough Yards. You’ll spot her on the floor decked out in all manner of dazzling colours, much like our restaurants.

GABRIELLA CASALEGGIO

Head of Operations

Joining as Senior General Manager for the opening of Speedboat Bar in 2022, Gabriella is the epitome of the Chaiyo spirit, and a people person through and through. Completely new to Thai cuisine when she joined, the last three years have seen her rise to her current position, where she is pivotal in bringing our teams and restaurants together.

MIMI SAENGMEEKUN

General Manager, Plaza Covent Garden

Joining the opening team at Speedboat Bar as a Waitress, Mimi’s journey has grown alongside Chaiyo itself. Moving across to the original Plaza Khao Gaeng at opening, she quickly progressed to Assistant Manger before taking on her current role at the helm of Plaza Covent Garden. Growing up around Thai food and culture, with her mother working as a Thai chef, Mimi brings a lifelong love of the cuisine to the restaurant.

JOANNE SEARLEY

Managing Director

Her journey beginning at JKS over a decade ago as Operations Manager, Joanne was instrumental in the growth of the business, and now leads Chaiyo’s in turn. Beyond her operational prowess, her people-first approach shapes the core of what we do at Chaiyo, and an unwavering eye ensures every detail is up to scratch.

ELLIOT OXLEY

Beverage Operations Manager

In a similar role at JKS from 2024, when an opportunity with Chaiyo became available in June 2025, Elliot jumped to apply. Here, he leads our bar teams to deliver the best drinks and service in London’s Thai restaurants, with his sights set to take Chaiyo’s beverage programme far beyond.

MARVIN RAFIN

Head Chef, Plaza Tottenham Court Road

Orginally from the Philippines, Marvin grew up around Thai culture, leading him to work in a Thai restaurant for 12 years and even learning to speak Thai. He joined Plaza Khao Gaeng team as Junior Sous in 2024, quickly moving through the ranks to lead the team at Tottenham Court Road, always with a smile on his face.

KRISMAS CHAROENPANICH

Group Head Chef

Endlessly positive and physically impossible to be in a bad mood around, Krismas joined Chaiyo as Head Chef for the opening of Speedboat Bar back in 2022. Hailing from the Phayao province of Northern Thailand, his love for sharing Thai cuisine and culture radiates through everything he does.

DAVIDE BARGIONE

Chef Director

Now the proud owner of a ‘ridiculously high tolerance for spice’, Davide’s Scoville training sessions began back in 2023 when he joined Chaiyo as Group Executive Chef. He’s responsible for everything from guiding the team’s culinary development to sourcing the finest curry pastes direct from Thailand, and his favourite job – running quality control on our crispy pork.

KAJSA RENMARKER

Senior GM

Kasja, now the captain of what she affectionately calls ‘the boat’, joined as AGM just shy of opening. She’s since taken Speedboat Bar to new heights, whilst fostering a warm environment for team and guests alike. Already a champion of all things Thailand, Kajsa’s first visit was back in 2013, sparking a passion for Thai cuisine and culture that she’s pursued personally and professionally ever since.