Andrey ShmakovCommunity profile

Andrey Shmakov became the brand chef of the "Metropol" hotel in 2013. Prior to that, he had worked on passenger liners in Europe and in restaurants in Tallinn – Le Bonaparte, RIBE, as well as in the Grand Hotel and Radisson SAS hotels. He was also the head chef of the prestigious Kadriorg restaurant in the historic park in Tallinn and "Laplandia" in St. Petersburg, one of the first restaurants serving New Nordic cuisine in Russia. Andrey completed internships at the legendary Noma in Copenhagen and Chez Dominique in Helsinki. In 2014, Andrey Shmakov conceived the idea of a new establishment with a cuisine that was both sophisticated yet concise and understandable, with friendly and intelligent service. In 2015, Andrey Shmakov opened the SAVVA restaurant in the "Metropol" hotel building. It was an innovative and elegant restaurant that respected both the centuries-old traditions of Moscow and the trends of the new era. The restaurant was named after Savva Mamontov, the founder of the hotel, a legendary figure, patron, and author of many ideas that changed the face of Moscow in the early 20th century. The concept of the restaurant is modern Russian cuisine with a personal touch, using seasonal ingredients, vegetables, herbs, and working with local farmers. In 2017, the international gastronomic guide Gault&Millau included the SAVVA restaurant in the list of the best restaurants in Moscow. SAVVA was one of only three restaurants in the region to receive the highest award – 4 "toques," and Andrey Shmakov was recognized by the guide as the best Executive Chef in Moscow. In 2017, the renowned French guide "La Liste" awarded the SAVVA restaurant the title "The World Best Restaurants Selection," an award that the restaurant also received in 2018. Also in 2018, "12forward," a project of the Scandinavian restaurant guide "White Guide," included Moscow in the list of metropolises for which its experts selected the 12 most interesting restaurants in the city. Thanks to Andrey Shmakov's new and original interpretation of Russian cuisine, the unique interior, and the high level of service, SAVVA was chosen as one of the best restaurants in Moscow. In 2018, the SAVVA restaurant closed for renovation. On October 20, 2020, the legendary SAVVA restaurant reopened its doors after a two-year renovation in the "Metropol" hotel building, opposite the Bolshoi Theatre. Andrey Shmakov, the constant head of the project, led the kitchen. In December 2020, the restaurant received the "Restaurant of the Year" award from the annual "GQ Restaurant Rating." This award is particularly valuable because the restaurant industry was one of the most affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2015 to 2017, Andrey hosted the internationally renowned "MasterChef Kids" program on the STS channel. In 2021, he was awarded the "CHEF OF THE YEAR" award, an annual Russian award for chefs organized by the international forum "Breakfast of a Chef." Andrey also owns two gastronomic bars in Tallinn – "Tar Tar Kook+Baar" and "LOVE Mussels." In 2021, he was inducted into the "Hall of Fame" of the "Palm Branch of the Restaurant Business" award in the "Chef of the Year" category.