27 Jan QUAGLINO’S
QUAGLINO’S
3 things you might not know about the glamorous setting of the Product of the Year 2025 Awards ceremony:
A haven for Hollywood legends and a royal retreat, Quaglino’s is a venue like no other. The iconic, art-deco-style building was founded in 1929 by a charismatic restaurateur hailing from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, named Giovanni Quaglino.
“To have a famous maître d’hôtel greet you respectfully by your surname, to greet him in turn familiarly is a strong tonic for your ego”, observed Vogue in 1936 and the spirit of Quaglino lives on, a popular venue to this day…
Marking the second consecutive year that Quaglino’s will play host to the Product of the Year awards ceremony, we roll back the clock to discover some of its finest moments in history.
1. A royal record
From Princess Diana to Prince Harry, Quaglino’s is no stranger to a royal visitor but it wasn’t always the royal haunt it went on to become. In 1956, Queen Elizabeth II broke a record becoming the first-ever reigning Monarch to dine in a public restaurant. That restaurant was none other than, Quaglino’s! It famously became one of her favourite haunts and remains popular among royalty.
2. ‘Stolen’ secrets of the Quaglino’s ashtray
In 1991, following its brief closure, the designer Terrance Conran bought the landmark restaurant. As part of his revitalisation of the much-loved landmark, Conran designed stylish metallic ashtrays in the shape of a ‘Q’ for smokers (in the days when indoor smoking was allowed). It wasn’t long before these became unofficial collector’s items. Over 10 years, more than 25,000 of Quaglino’s ashtrays had gone “missing”.
3. As seen on screen
“Quag’s” was famously Patsy and Edina’s favourite lunch spot in the TV sitcom, Ab Fab. A place to drink “Bolly” and be merry. More recently, you may (or may not) have spotted Quaglino’s in the 2024 TV adaptation of the novel ‘One Day’. Emma, played by Ambika Mod, orders fish and chips, which isn’t featured on the venue’s fine-dining menu, known for serving oysters and caviar.
The stars will be out in force for the Product of the Year Awards on Wednesday 29th January at Quaglino’s with acclaimed comedian, Tom Allen hosting and Britain’s Got Talent 2024 winner, Sydnie Christmas performing. It’s set to be a night to remember…