Ivan Kukarskikh and Bogdan Panchenko
Founders of Lucky Group
Having traveled around Europe and gained experience, Bogdan and Ivan consciously moved towards the restaurant industry. Ivan opened the first BB Burgers project in 2013. Bogdan, helping his partner and close friend, was simultaneously engaged in supplying vegetables and fruits from Russian cities to large companies in the capital.
In the fall of 2017, together with brand chef Glen Ballis, was opened a joint project Margarita Bistro on the corner of Malaya Bronnaya street.
There are now 22 restaurants in the Lucky Group, which are united by values, attention to detail and most importantly – hospitality. In addition to restaurants, Lucky Group develops the areas of events, catering, training services and merch.
In the fall of 2017, together with brand chef Glen Ballis, was opened a joint project Margarita Bistro on the corner of Malaya Bronnaya street.
There are now 22 restaurants in the Lucky Group, which are united by values, attention to detail and most importantly – hospitality. In addition to restaurants, Lucky Group develops the areas of events, catering, training services and merch.
Tom Halpin
Brand chef
He started his career in 2004 in Australia at his mum's restaurant as a dishwasher. Afterwards, he had to help chefs and from that moment he focused on cooking. In 2010, after working in the best restaurants in Sydney, he left Australia and went to Denmark, where he spent 4 years at Noma restaurant. Since 2015, he has been travelling and cooking in as many different countries as possible. He considers creativity in everything important in his work. He believes, that creativity in cooking, in the atmosphere and in the feeling that must be given to every guest entering the restaurant are what can give a completely different approach to working as a chef.
Vitaly Nizhniy
General manager
With over 11 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Vitaly is a manager known for his systematic approach and deep understanding of operations and service. He has progressed from waiter to managing director, building strong teams and sustainable standards at every stage.
Under his leadership, the restaurant was recognized as the best in the country and in Saint Petersburg on many ratings. He also holds professional sommelier certification, enabling him to work with product and guest experience at an expert level.
As part of Lucky Group, Vitaly oversees the project, ensuring operational stability and continuous team development.
Evgeniy Aleksandrov
Chef
He was born in the city of Pieta, Republic of Malta, where his father worked as a chef at the Russian Embassy. Inspired by his example, Evgeniy acquired a love and passion for gastronomy in childhood.
He trained in Italy, Germany, Denmark, where he worked with fresh local organic products and learned to cut up farm lambs. In the profession for more than 10 years. He worked with such famous chefs as: Oliver Dollard (UK), Kasper Gaard (Denmark), Gome Galily (Israel) and others.
He trained in Italy, Germany, Denmark, where he worked with fresh local organic products and learned to cut up farm lambs. In the profession for more than 10 years. He worked with such famous chefs as: Oliver Dollard (UK), Kasper Gaard (Denmark), Gome Galily (Israel) and others.
Artyom Tokarevskikh
Bar Manager
In the HoReCa field since 2008. Worked his way up from a waiter to a manager and chain bar manager. In 2021 joined Lucky Group as a bartender at Londri and later took up the position of senior bartender. In 2024, he opened the restaurant Bruno as a bar manager.
Maria Trykova
Sommelier
In 2021, she left her career in finance and decided to connect her life with wine. She was educated at the Gorizont sommelier school and completed a professional course at WineState. In February 2022, she began working at the Maya restaurant, and in November of the same year she was invited to the position of head sommelier of the Niki restaurant. Since March 2024, she began to combine the management of two restaurants – 345 and Niki.