Angela grew up in an Italian family, from whom she learnt to appreciate good food. After studying Modern History at Cambridge, she took a first job at the Sandy Lanes Hotel in Barbados. When she returned to Britain she worked at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Aubergine. She has stayed within the Gordon Ramsay empire, following him to Zafferano and L'Oranger. She climbed the ranks, joining Marcus Wareing as his sous chef, then head chef, at Petrus. After launching Amaryllis in Scotland with David Dempsey in 2001, Angela helped with the launch of Gordon Ramsay's Verre in Dubai.

Angela returned to England to become the Chef Patron at M E N U and The Grill Room at The Connaught where she won her first Michelin star. She is now planning an expansion into the US with a restaurant, La Boca Ratan, in Florida.

She has published her first book book, Angela Hartnett's Cucina, and writes a regular feature for Delicious Magazine. She has made guest appearances on Market Kitchen, Great Food Live and has also appeared on television in Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, The Great British Menu and Sunday Lunch Live.