Meet Maryia Vainitskaya, General Manager
A new chapter is underway at No. Fifty Cheyne, with General Manager Maryia helping to shape the restaurant’s next chapter.
Warm, instinctive hospitality sits at the heart of her approach – remembering a regular’s favourite table andmaking sure every guest feels completely at home. We caught up with Maryia to talk about life in Chelsea, what makes Fifty Cheyne special and what she likes to get up to outside of work.
What were your first impressions of Fifty Cheyne?
What really attracted me was that the restaurant already had such a strong identity. It’s a beautiful restaurant in an incredible location, but more importantly, it has history and a very loyal local following.
When I first walked in, it didn’t feel like a typical restaurant. It felt almost like someone’s home. I loved the idea of protecting everything people already value about it, while bringing some fresh energy to the next chapter.
You’ve recently moved nearby. How are you settling into Chelsea life?
Very easy to get used to! It has this lovely combination of being polished but still quite relaxed. I’m discovering that Chelsea is dangerous for someone who enjoys beautiful restaurants, beautiful shops and walking everywhere with no particular destination.
What is it that makes the restaurant feel special?
It has that rare ability to feel special without feeling too serious. You can dress up and celebrate something important, or come in for Sunday lunch with your dog. Either way, you feel completely at home, just with someone else doing the cooking and washing up!
Is there anything you’d particularly like guests to rediscover about No. Fifty Cheyne?
It has that rare ability to feel special without feeling too serious. It’s a place people choose for birthdays, weddings and other celebrations, but equally somewhere you can drop into for lunch, an early dinner or a drink in the Ruby Room. I’d love it to become part of people’s routine as much as somewhere they celebrate milestones.
What’s the secret to making guests feel genuinely looked after?
For me, it’s about making people feel completely at ease. I want guests to relax, stay longer than they planned, order another bottle (or dessert) and completely lose track of time.
I have a brilliant memory for the little things – your favourite table, what you drink, your dog’s name, probably what you ordered last time. For me, that’s the fun of having regulars. Eventually they stop feeling like customers and start feeling like part of the Fifty Cheyne family. I’m loving getting to know the regulars already.
What are you most excited about over the next few months?
There’s a lot happening, which is exactly how I like it. We’re bringing fresh energy to the restaurant, continuing to evolve the menus and planning some exciting events over the coming months.
I’m especially looking forward to Christmas. Fifty Cheyne was made for that time of year. Give me a full restaurant, Champagne flowing and a little organised chaos and I’m very happy.
Describe your perfect Chelsea evening.
A walk with my dog, Loki, a great dinner, and a smooth whisky afterwards and my phone staying suspiciously quiet.
What does switching off look like for you?
Probably much quieter than people would expect. I love spending time with Loki, playing the piano, reading and cooking at home. Hospitality is naturally very fast-paced and social, so outside of work I really value slowing down, switching off and enjoying the quieter things.
I’m quite a homebody. I can spend a week surrounded by hundreds of people and then be completely happy spending my day off cooking at home with my dog beside me.
Quickfire
Favourite drink? Whiskey
Breakfast or dinner? Dinner, definitely.
Wine or cocktails? White wine – an oaky chardonnay
City or countryside? City, with occasional escapes to the countryside.
Early morning or late night? Late night – occupational hazard.
Favourite Chelsea spot? The river, especially when it’s quiet.
Dream dinner guest? Aryna Sabalenka. I love her energy and mentality. She’s incredibly competitive and focused, but with so much personality. I think she’d be brilliant fun to have around a dinner table.
Come and meet Maryia and the team at No. Fifty Cheyne. Join us for lunch, dinner, Sunday roast or drinks in the Ruby Room.