Top chef who worked under Gordon Ramsay 'fighting for life' after Notting Hill Carnival attack

29 August 2024, 10:47 | Updated: 29 August 2024, 12:27

Head chef of luxury restaurant left in 'critical condition' after Notting Hill Carnival attack
Head chef of luxury restaurant left in 'critical condition' after Notting Hill Carnival attack. Picture: alamy

By Flaminia Luck

The head chef of a top restaurant and exclusive members club in Dubai is critically ill in hospital after being attacked near Notting Hill Carnival.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mussie Imnetu, 41, was found unconscious with a head injury in Queensway, at 11:22pm on Monday.

A 31-year-old man from Newham has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

He remains in custody at a south London police station.

Imnetu's family is being supported by specialist officers.

The Metropolitan Police are extending the appeal for information for the public's help in understanding this attack.

According to The Arts Club Dubai website, Imnetu has worked under chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing and has worked in London and New York.

Prior to his arrival at The Brasserie in The Arts Club Dubai, he enjoyed two spells at the sister Club in London, plus time at Oblix at The Shard and The Savoy Grill.

Imnetu is a Swedish national who was visiting the UK on business from Dubai where he's a chef
Mussi Imnetu, 41, is the head chef of a top restaurant in Dubai. Picture: The Arts Club Dubai

Imnetu left The Arts Club on Dover Street - an exclusive members-only social club in Mayfair - shortly after 1pm on Monday.

He was alone and wearing a blue t-shirt and black jeans. He later bought a white baseball cap.

He arrived at Dr Power restaurant in Queensway at around 10.30pm and again, he was alone.

The restaurant was serving food from stalls outside and playing music.

The venue and surrounding area were extremely busy with people who had been to Carnival.

The force said Imnetu, who is a Swedish national, was visiting the UK on business from Dubai where he lived and worked as a chef.

Read more: Two British crew members aboard Bayesian superyacht under investigation as captain 'refuses to answer questions'
Read more:
Captain of Mike Lynch’s yacht 'under investigation for manslaughter'

Imnetu left The Arts Club on Dover Street shortly after 1pm on Monday
Imnetu left The Arts Club on Dover Street shortly after 1pm on Monday. Picture: MPS

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation from the Met's Homicide Command, said: “While the arrest of a suspect is a significant step in our investigation, we are still very keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together Mussie’s movements between when he left The Arts Club at 13:00hrs and when he arrived at Dr Power restaurant at 22:30hrs.

“If you visited the restaurant between 22:00hrs and 23:30hrs on Monday night or were in the area and saw something, regardless of the reason you were there, please do get in touch.

“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 23:20hrs. 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."

Exterior of The Arts Club members-only social club in Dover Street, Mayfair
Exterior of The Arts Club members-only social club in Dover Street, Mayfair. Picture: Alamy

The appeal comes after 230 people were arrested during the event on Monday.

Five people were stabbed and one incident involving a corrosive substance took place.

Two of the stabbing victims remain in a life-threatening condition.

In total, the police statistics from the day include:

  • 49 x possession of an offensive weapon
  • 37 x assault on an emergency worker
  • 8 x sexual offences
  • 9 x violence with injury
  • 15 x other violence
  • 1 x possession of a firearm
  • 2 x vehicle crime
  • 1 x harassment
  • 11 x possession with intent to supply drugs
  • 9 x possession of class A drugs
  • 40 x possession of class B drugs
  • 4 x possession of nitrous oxide
  • 6 x possession of drugs (other)
  • 2 x theft from a person
  • 3 x other theft offences
  • 11 x public order offences
  • 22 x other offences
Notting Hill Carnival in London
Notting Hill Carnival in London. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

'But where are the hams?': Police launch manhunt after thieves steal €200,000 of prized Christmas meat

Police hunt Spanish hamburglars after thieves steal €200,000 of prized Christmas meat

The new advert was published this week.

Rebranded Jaguar sparks further backlash after teasing new car model akin to ‘Tesla Cybertruck’

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year

Arrest warrants issued for Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence minister and Hamas chief over 'war crimes'

Matt Hancock giving evidence at the Covid 19 inquiry

Matt Hancock tells Covid inquiry government did 'everything we possibly could' during pandemic

Matt Hancock was booed as he arrived to testify at the Covid-19 inquiry

Matt Hancock booed as he arrives to give evidence at Covid inquiry

Four days of weather alerts are in place for the arrival of Storm Bert

Storm Bert set to bring snow, blizzards and downpours as four days of weather warnings issued

Kyiv says Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in an attack on Ukraine

Russia's revenge: Moscow 'launches intercontinental ballistic missile’ in attack on Ukraine

Hannah Ingram-Moore and Captain Tom

Who is Hannah Ingram-Moore? Captain Tom's 'leading businesswomen daughter'

The "Prescott Punch" is one of the most iconic moments in modern British political history

Infamous moment John Prescott punches protester who threw egg at him

Exclusive
Gordon Brown pays tribute to "working class hero" John Prescott.

Gordon Brown pays tribute to 'colossus' John Prescott after his death aged 86 following battle with Alzheimer's

(L) British lawyer Simone White, 28, is seriously ill in hospital. (R) Bianca Jones, 19, has become the fourth person to die after consuming alleged 'methanol-laced' drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos

London lawyer fights for her life and Australian backpacker dies after drinking 'methanol-laced' shots from bar in Laos

Russia is threatening to use new missiles in Ukraine after US and UK rockets were used in their territory

Putin 'to retaliate with new Frontier missiles in Ukraine' after US and UK give green light to fire rockets in Russia

Smaller drones, costing a fraction of Watchkeeper’s £5.2 million unit price, are being used to great effect in Ukraine for reconnaissance and precision strikes.

The British Army’s £1.35bn Watchkeeper drone programme: From ambition and innovation to delays, failure, and abandonment

GERMANY-TRANSPORT-TRAFFIC

Hundreds of drivers left stuck in vehicles in freezing conditions on M2 after serious crash between pedestrian and lorry

TV host Ellen Degeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi are reportedly planning to move permanently to rural England

Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi 'to flee US and move to England' after Trump's election win

Exclusive
‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK critically unprepared for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister

‘The storm of war is gathering’: Defence cuts leave UK 'woefully unprepared' for a 'bumpy decade', warns ex-minister