Top 10 Famous Chefs in Italy

Italian cuisine has influenced how chefs around the world prepare and present food and the impact of Italian cuisine on the global food scene is indisputable. Italian food culture is famous for its simplicity and unique identity and behind every grand and splendid dish made are famous chefs. Italian cuisine chefs create the most exemplary dishes and this is why chefs from Italy are regarded as some of the finest and most highly appreciated internationally.

This article will introduce you to some of the most famous chefs in Italy, from Massimo Bottura’s whimsical interpretations of classic Italian fare to Enrico Bartolini’s philosophy of simplicity and balance to all other creative and intriguing chefs. All of whom have created outstanding dishes and recipes and have etched their brilliance in the global kitchen. Stay with us till the end of this article where we will give you tips on how to make lovely Italian dishes like a pro. 

Who Falls Into This Category

Italian chefs are known for inventing and sharing classic Italian recipes. Famous chefs today like Bottura, Batali and De Laurentiis stand on the shoulders of earlier star chefs. Those old-school chefs were extremely talented cooks. Their dishes and methods made Italian food loved and known worldwide. Chefs like Artusi, Boni and Hazan came up with iconic Italian recipes we still use.

Today’s celeb chefs carry on that tradition. They introduce Italian flavors to new fans and inspire young chefs. These modern cooks put new twists on classics while respecting tradition. Their commitment to quality Italian cuisine keeps it on top.

The Chefs

Italian cuisine is a product of outstanding chefs who have mastered the art of Italian gastronomy and influenced the world to reckon with Italian cuisine. Many Italian chefs who have passed through time were famous for their immense successes in the art of Italian cooking. Today, we have numerous Italian chefs who are also famous and celebrated for their brilliance. We have compiled a list of the top 10 famous Italian chefs who are leading the way in Italian cuisine today.

 

Massimo Bottura

Massimo Bottura is one of the most famous chefs in the world. Massimo was born in Modena, Italy on 30 September 1962, he moved to New York in 1993. He took lessons in classical French cuisine and he learned the basics of molecular gastronomy in 2003 in Spain. Massimo Bottura takes classics like parmesan cheese and spins them into completely unique culinary dishes. He is best known for being the chef patron of Osteria Francescana, and was awarded 3 Michelin stars in 2002, 2006, and 2012.

Enrico Crippa

Born in Carate Brianza in 1971, he is driven by his grandfather’s passion for locally produced food. He worked with some of the best chefs in Europe in the 1960s, then launched Marche’s restaurant in Kobe, Japan. In 2003 he met the Cretto family and in 2005 he started the Piazza Duomo restaurant and earned three Michelin stars.

Nadia Santini

Nadia Santini took cooking lessons at a young age with her future husband’s great-grandmother. She and her husband Antonio are in charge of Dal Pescatore, a restaurant her husband’s great-grandparents started. She earned Italy’s first three Michelin stars for a female chef, at her family owned restaurant Dal Pescatore. She focuses on quality local ingredients and an intimate dining experience.

Gennaro Esposito

Gennaro Esposito’s remarkable career began in his hometown in Vico Equense, Naples where he was born in 1970. He grew up on his family’s farm and was inspired by his mother’s cooking. Having started working with his uncle, at his uncle’s pantry shop at age nine, he also enrolled at a hotel and hospitality school. He combines his French training with Italian soul. Esposito has earned two Michelin stars and he is known to focus on only fresh ingredients to create authentic Neapolitan specialties like pasta, fish, and desserts.

Heinz Beck

Heinz Beck is known for Michelin-starred restaurants globally that turn innovation into health-focused Italian cooking. His in-depth culinary knowledge also makes him a bestselling author. Heinz Beck has also opened other restaurants in London, he is renowned for his innovative translation of classic Italian dishes with modern dishes and international influences.

Davide Scabin

Davide Scabin is renowned for a very successful trattoria called Combal in Turin however the restaurant changed to Combal.Zero and moved to the Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art. Scabin started out cooking traditional Italian fare at his restaurant Combal.Zero in Rivoli, which earned two Michelin stars. He then began to take more risks and moved away from the usual recipes. He blended science and art into postmodern plates that were totally out-of-the-box for Italian cuisine.

Enrico Bartolini

Enrico Bartolini is one of the first Italian chefs to be awarded three Michelin stars. He was awarded his first star at age 29. At his restaurant Piazza Duomo in Alba, Crippa channels all the amazing local ingredients from this part of Italy – think hazelnuts, herbs, veggies, mushrooms and more. Bartolini has earned nine Michelin stars in total, gaining a spot on the World 50 Best Restaurants. 

Carlo Cracco

Carlo Cracco’s early culinary quest began at Da Remo, a restaurant in Vicenza. He collaborated with a few chefs in Italy before he left for France to study French cuisine. Cracco breathes new life into risotto and veal cutlets with his unexpected twists – nesting spaghetti into bird’s nest shapes or wrapping sauces into “edible balloons.” He took over the restaurant L’Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, which earned two Michelin stars. In 2011, he started hosting the cooking competition show MasterChef Italia with other celebrity chefs. Cracco has been the president of the nonprofit Maestro Martino since 2012. He has also made appearances on Italian television, including co-hosting the first two seasons of Hell’s Kitchen Italia.

Niko Romito

Niko Romito is known for everything down to pure simplicity. After unexpectedly taking over his family’s restaurant in his tiny hometown of Castel di Sangro, Romito discovered that being a chef was his calling. He has earned three michelin stars so far and his dishes have a contemporary feel to them. Dishes like spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, and chili pepper or roast suckling pig exemplify his simple yet elegant style.

Cristina Bowerman

Cristian Bowerman was born in Apulia, southern Italy and after years of training in foreign languages, studying law, and learning culinary arts in the U.S. she returned home in 2006 and started working at the Glass Hostaria. The restaurant struggled for the first three years but Bowerman’s brilliance revived the business and she was awarded a Michelin star in 2010— Bowernan was the only woman honored with a Michelin star that year. She is known for her use of seasonal ingredients and creativity. 

Conclusion

Italian food is beloved around the world for its bold flavors and regional diversity. With practice, anyone can become skilled at preparing classic Italian dishes like pasta, pizza, risotto, lasagna, bolognese sauce, cacio e pepe, and tiramisu.

Whenever you are in New York City, these places highlighted below should be your first stop to have great Italian recipes.

SESAMO Restaurant is a New York jewel, and our restaurant is a cozy place suitable for any Italian cuisine dining experience you wish to experience. Inspired by Italian cuisines and Asian traditional cooking methods, our restaurant offers Italian-Asian cuisine that is made from farm-fresh ingredients and high-quality imported ingredients. Located at 764 10th Avenue, New York, New York 10015, in Hell’s Kitchen.