Nico Simeone gifts original Glasgow restaurant to head chef

Chef-restaurateur Nico Simeone has gifted his Glasgow restaurant 111 by Nico to his head chef Modou Diagne, who joined as kitchen porter six years ago.

Senegal-born Diagne was the first person to apply for the job of kitchen porter at 111 by Nico when it was listed online, having arrived in Glasgow by himself aged 18 with only £200 in his pocket.

In a video shot in December and shared online Simeone gives Diagne a box that has photos of 111 by Nico rebranded as 111 by Modou. 111 by Nico will close on 23 March for refurbishment and re-branding to become 111 by Modou from 3 April.

Simeone said: “The time feels right, for both myself and Modou. This has been a personal dream of mine since meeting Modou in 2014, not only getting to know him as a close colleague, but he has become like family to me.”

In a statement Diagne said: “This opportunity is completely life changing for myself and my family back home. Having moved here in 2013, I would never have dreamed that I would be in this position seven years later.”

Simeone will have no financial input in 111 by Modou but has promised to offer guidance and support should Diagne want it. He said that as his Six by Nico chain expands, with a London outpost opening soon, it is demanding more of his time.

Menuwatch: Six by Nico