A Swedish chef who had worked under Gordon Ramsay is in critical condition after being attacked near Notting Hill carnival on Monday.
Mussie Imnetu, 41, the head chef at the Arts Club in Dubai, was visiting London on a business trip. At about 11.20pm on Monday, Imnetu was attacked at the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway.
Omar Wilson, 31, was arrested in Newham in the early hours of Wednesday morning in connection with the attack. On Thursday he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and was remanded to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Friday.
The Metropolitan police said customers in the restaurant tried to stop the attack and officers patrolling the carnival were made aware of a man who was unconscious with a head injury. The officers provided emergency first aid until paramedics arrived, the force said.
Police said they were keen to piece together Imnetu’s movements from when he left London’s Arts Club on Dover Street at 1pm on Monday to his arrival at the Dr Power restaurant at 10.30pm.
A biography of Imnetu on the Arts Club in Dubai’s website describes him as a “well-travelled chef” who hails from Eritrea and grew up in Sweden before working in London and New York.
Before becoming head chef at the Dubai branch of the private members’ club, he worked at a number of upmarket restaurants in London including the original Arts Club, Oblix at the Shard and the Savoy Grill.
DCI Brian Howie, leading the investigation from the Met’s homicide command, said: “Our focus is on what happened to Mussie. Did you speak with him at the restaurant or do you have any images or videos between these times that could assist the investigation?
“The attack happened around 23.20. Customers at the venue tried to help stop the attack. We need to speak with these people and I urge them to contact us.
“We are releasing Mussie’s name and two photos of him – one showing him on the day of the attack – in the hope that it triggers someone’s memory and prompts them to come forward.”
