Pictured above: Vito Cataffo

Restaurateur Vito Cataffo has thrown down a challenge to aspiring chefs to make a name for themselves at his newest Lincolnshire venue.

Vito, who is splashing £300,000 on creating a stylish eaterie in Grantham, is encouraging those ambitious to make their mark to get in touch.

And he is throwing in the carrot of a  potential stake in his new venture, which is seeing a major revamp of the town's old Malt Shovel pub, for those who really make the grade.

"I know it is still early days, but I'm keen to hear from talented fledgling chefs in the Grantham area.  There are good opportunities for those  who can prove they are able to stand the pace in our kitchens.

"If somebody with real business acumen steps forward, and trains in our way of working, they could potentially end-up with shares in the business, which would be fantastic," he said.

Vito is used to offering opportunities to people with the right skills. In the past staff have gone on to run businesses which he started and put themselves on course for career success.

And Vito is also keen to act as a consultant to any would be entrepreneur needing advice on an individual business project.

He is currently gutting the downstairs floor of the former Malt Shovel Pub at the corner of Welby Street (Grantham) and on a mission to turn what was originally The Blue Man Pub, into a magnet for diners from miles around.

The new venue, which is due to open in mid-October, brings the prospects of 35 new jobs to a town which is currently under threat of losing its Marks & Spencer store.

Vito  starred in the television series La Dolce Vito - where he and his fiancée Margharita trawled Italy in search of new restaurant premises and went around the UK meeting top British food producers -  before opening an English restaurant called Passion, in Bologna.

He is out to make his mark in Grantham, after launching Mia, in Sleaford, earlier this year.

Vito is basing his latest restaurant on his flagship county venue, Gino's, off Bailgate, Lincoln. He also owns Zucchini in Silver Street (Lincoln) and Via Italiano in Newark.

Having his UK restaurants within an easy drive of each other allows Vito to keep his finger on the pulse and get to know many customers personally.

"I have been exploring the potential to take my brand of Italian dining to Grantham for some time. The town is expanding and poised to get more housing. Grantham is also close to the A1 and there are many villages within its catchment area," said Vito.

"The old Malt Shovel is a great building, and we are modelling our new restaurant on Gino's, which has a great atmosphere. We plan to seat up to 150 people inside the building and another 30 in the rear courtyard. There will also be tables and chairs to seat 20 more outside the front of the restaurant."

The new eaterie will open seven-days-a-week, from 12 noon to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm, daily, and the menu will feature Vito's usual offers.

Grantham-based Bickford Ltd, which owns the building is converting the upper floor into a flat.

Aspiring chefs who are fired-up by Vito's new venture, can call him on - 07796 822444.