Zanellato set to fly solo

Federico Zanellato forged his local reputation as head chef at Mosman's Ormeggio at The Spit, but the foundations of his career were set earlier, working in restaurants from Italy to Japan.

Zanellato departed Ormeggio before Christmas, with plenty of speculation on his next move. We can reveal he has plans to open his own restaurant, in Pyrmont.

The Italian confirmed he's in advanced negotiations to take the Ripples at Sydney Wharf site (pictured).

"We're just waiting for the DA to be approved. All going well I'd like to open there at the end of April," he says.

Zanellato's former boss, Ormeggio co-owner Alessandro Pavoni, says Sydney is fortunate to have his former head chef.

"I'm excited for him. I think it'll be a great restaurant, the more good Italian chefs we have here the better."

The venture's culinary bent sounds interesting. "It'd be modern cuisine, obviously with a strong Italian influence and a little bit of Japanese," the young chef explains.