The totality of the Italian influence when it comes to food preparation and presentation is unquestionable. From pasta to pizza, Italian cuisine has undeniably impacted the global food scene.
As a fruit of the region’s rich influence, the Italian food culture has become one of the world’s most famous both for its simplicity and uniqueness. In a nutshell, most Italian dishes are composed of just two to six ingredients done in the classic Mediterranean way.
As Italy is known for its sumptuous dishes, so are the famous chefs behind the grandeur of Italian cuisine. By producing the best of the best, chefs from Italy are some of the most highly-regarded internationally.
On this post, you will be directed toward some of the most famous Italian people – the best Italian chefs that have carved their own niches in the global scene.
18 Most Famous Italian Chefs
Here are 18 of the most famous chefs from Italy.
1. Massimo Bottura
Number one on the list is the world-famous Massimo Bottura.
Born in Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy on September 30, 1965, Chef Massimo Bottura took his inspiration from his mother, grandmother, and aunt as he would watch them cook as a kid.
In 1995, Bottura opened Osteria Francescana, after an inspiration to contrast modern art with traditionally-administered style. In 2012, the restaurant got its third Michelin star.
Check out Osteria Francescana and other Massimo Bottura restaurants here.
Because of the success of Bottura’s restaurant, it became a famous feature in pop culture, such as being in the Netflix’s Chef’s Table TV series in 2015 and on the second episode of the second season of the Netflix-original comedy drama Master of None.
READ ALSO: 13 Best Italian Series on Netflix To Watch To Improve Your Italian
Bottura’s famous recipe is Italian salsa verde which is a dish made with parsley, breadcrumbs, capers, anchovies, vinegar, and olive oil.
2. Giada De Laurentiis
Second on the list is no less than Chef Giada De Laurentiis, one of the best chefs from Italy. She was born in Rome in 1970 and moved to the United States when she was 7 years old.
You may recognize Chef Giada from her 2021 cooking show called Bobby and Giada in Italy, where she prepares delicious Italian dishes on TV.
Before her television debut, however, Giada Laurentiis started her cooking expertise in her grandfather’s kitchen as she would help him cook in her younger years. From there she was able to observe how food is prepared and all the other stuff that make a good cook. It was also during the time of her grandfather’s restaurant DDL Foodshow, where Laurentiis really grasped the qualities and traits of Italian cuisine.
Laurentiis’ early cooking training led to her success at opening her own restaurants Pronto by Giada in The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and GDL Italian by Giada in Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. She also has restaurants in her native country Italy.
Laurentiis also appeared on Food Network’s Everyday Italian (where she shared her updates to old family recipes) and Behind the Bash (which featured behind-the-scenes of weddings, parties, and gala events from Hollywood and Las Vegas to Miami and the Hamptons).
She won daytime Emmy award for her television work and published several cooking books under her belt.
3. Fabio Viviani
Perhaps some of you know this chef for his bestselling cook books namely Fabio’s Italian Kitchen, Fabio’s American Home Kitchen: More Than 125 Recipes With an Italian Accent, and the legendary Café Firenze Cookbook: Food and Drink Recipes from the Tuscan Sons.
Before becoming a well-known chef, Fabio Viviani started his love for food at a very young age by working as a helper in a local bakery in his home city of Florence in Tuscany. He was only allowed to work there despite not being old enough to get employed because he was friends with the owner. From then on, he has worked in various restaurants.
With his amazing cooking skills, Viviani became one of the youngest sous chefs in Italian history at the age of 16.
Before opening his restaurants overseas (Firenze Osteria and Café Firenze), Fabio first graced his restaurants in the Tuscan capital for a number of years where folks would rave about his pasta dishes like ravioli and fettuccine.
Viviani also ventured into the World Wide Web with his website featuring his blogs about food and recipes.
4. Gino D’Acampo
A proud native of the Southern Italian city of Naples, Chef Gino D’Acampo is known to be one of the few Italian chefs that brought the Italian cuisine – particularly from the south of Naples – to the world, especially to the United Kingdom.
ALSO READ: 10 Best Restaurants in Naples, Italy
As the UK is famous for welcoming indigenous and foreign cooking masters, D’Acampo seized the opportunity to showcase the best of Italian cuisine.
Having spread joy and devotion of food, D’Acampo has opened at least 11 branches of his restaurant named after him in the UK, where he serves his sumptuous dishes made with love – keeping it simple and traditional.
He also appeared in various cooking shows like Celebrity Juice and did his own cooking shows like Gino’s Italian Escape: A Taste of the Sun and Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel.
5. Giorgio Locatelli
One look at Chef Giorgio Locatelli and one would see the total seriousness this great Italian chef puts in his work. Well, that is only a fraction of the dedication he has for the profession.
As everyone knows, Chef Giorgio Locatelli is largely a traditional Italian by heart. He was born in 1960 in the Northern Italian city of Vergiate, 45 km. northwest of Milan and some 15 km. southwest of Varese.
Just like Chef Gino D’Acampo, Locatelli is entirely influenced by his Italian roots as he is able to keep up with the rich history of his native Italy. Locatelli’s dishes are a combination of innovative and conventional style.
Eversince his younger days, Locatelli has been into cooking (reportedly from the age of five) and spent most of his leisure time in his childhood working at his uncle’s restaurant. His early internship has helped him reach his dream of working in bigger, out-of-the-country restaurants in Paris, Switzerland, and England.
Chef Giorgio Locatelli appeared in television cooking series Tony and Giorgio, Italy Unpacked, Pure Italian and The Big Family Cooking Showdown (a cooking game show).
Locatelli was awarded a Michelin star in 2003 for his exquisite recipes in his independent restaurant Locanda Locatelli in London, which opened in 2002.
6. Carlo Cracco
Another inventive yet traditional Italian chef is Chef Carlo Cracco, who was born in Veneto region’s town of Creazzo in 1965.
Rendering flamboyancy to the usual dish, Chef Carlo Cracco is likened to be adding fresh, innovative ideas – the reason why he was awarded Michelin stars multiple times in the restaurants that he has worked like L’Albereta and LeClivie.
Chef Carlo appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen. The restaurant that he opened (with the help of a partner), Cracco-Peck, earned 2 Michelin stars. Later on, he rebranded the restaurant and renamed it Ristorante Cracco. Because of its success, it was included in the list of Restaurant Magazine as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
7. Renato Piccolotto
Perhaps this Italian chef is recognized as the head chef of most of the historic events of the Elton John for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, specifically during the ceremonies of the Academy Awards in Hollywood.
Born in 1954 in the Venetian town of Asolo, Chef Renato Piccolotto is known all over the world, thanks to his immense talent in presenting Italian dishes with dexterity and picturesque panorama of every food he creates.
As one of the most famous chefs in Italy, Piccolotto has been the executive chef of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, in the same restaurant he first worked when he started his career in 1983.
The beautiful island of Giudecca in the Venetian Lagoon where the hotel is situated has served as an inspiration for Piccolotto where he makes authentic Venetian dishes. These dishes are widely popular for the infusion of Italy’s green produce and aromatic herbs.
Piccolotto claims that the authenticity in his Italian dishes has been his forte and he wouldn’t compromise his grown-up culture.
8. Gennaro Contaldo
Regarded as one of the most famous chefs Italy has ever produced, Chef Gennaro Contaldo is better known as the mentor of Jamie Oliver, an international cooking sensation and one of the UK’s most beloved chefs. Oliver credits Contaldo for everything that he learned about Italian cuisine and the Italian cookbooks he authored.
Chef Gennaro Contaldo is a frequent guest on Saturday Kitchen and has been successful in producing his own show called Two Greedy Italians which is broadcasted in BBC Two. He graced the opening of his own restaurant in 1999, Passione. The restaurant is located in London’s Charlotte Street and in 2005 was named the Best Italian Restaurant.
The World Gourmand Cookbook Awards named Contaldo’s first-ever published cookbook Passione: The Italian Cookbook the best cookbook of 2003.
In 2021, along with Jamie Oliver, Contaldo was given the prestigious Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana (Order of the Star of Italy) by the Embassy of Italy.
Chef Gennaro Contaldo specializes in fast-cook and slow-cook Italian, authentic Italian, and Italian pastries. He is a native of Minori on the famous Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy.
9. Antonio Cannavacciuolo
One of the famous chefs in Italy is the owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant Villa Crespi – the patriotic Chef Antonio Cannavacciuolo.
Growing up in the highlands of Vico Equense, a coastal town in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Cannavacciuolo has early on found ways to play with the food that his grandmother cooked in his younger days. His childhood pastime of helping in the kitchen led him to his dream of one day becoming like his father who was, at the time, working as a professional kitchen cook.
The inspiration was never-ending, especially with the environment he was confronted with. Kitchen was Chef Antonio’s playground. He was schooled and gained experience at Vesuvio and San Vincenzo in Sorrento cooking schools.
Following his long-time dream, he moved to France in 1995 where he worked at Auberge de I’ll, a three-starred Michelin restaurant. He also worked with the famed French chef, Paul Haeberlin.
Combining his childhood memories with incredible produce and cultures of Southern Italy, Cannavacciuolo began his career cooking his favorites like snail stew and risotto. He received his first Michelin star in 2003 for his exemplary cooking skills.
As a celebrity chef, Cannavacciuolo also ventured into television working as a lead host of the Italian franchise of Kitchen Nightmares in 2013. At present, the famous Italian chef is busy managing Villa Crespi with his wife, Cinzia. The restaurant has been operational since 1999.
10. Gianfranco Chiarini
Born in the city of Ferrara in Northern Italy, Chef Gianfranco Chiarini is dubbed as one of the greatest Italian culinary artists. He creates masterpieces using food as paint and plate as canvas – a modern approach to cooking with his unique infusion of traditional Italian and todays’ ways. This has been regarded as his trademark style.
As an inspiration to young chefs, Chef Gianfranco Chiarini is a testament that enriching your craft is a never-ending journey. Following his dream of becoming a professional chef, Chiarini went to several prestigious culinary schools in Venezuela, USA, and France. His educational attainment and trainings under some of the world’s best chefs helped him get involved in managing and opening of luxury restaurants and hotels in various countries, including the US and Turkey.
Chiarini also became a celebrity chef in the Middle East. At present, he has been serving as a consultant to the National Starch Food Innovation for years as well as creating culinary ideas for manufacturing companies globally.
Chef Antonio has also published cook books including The New Renaissance of Italian Fushion Cuisine, a three-part book series.
11. Massimiliano Alajmo
At the age of 28, Massimiliano “Max” Alajmo made history by becoming the youngest chef ever to receive three Michelin stars, a remarkable achievement accomplished in 2002.
Max Alajmo was born with an inherent fascination for both culinary arts and culture. Alongside his brother and sister, he represents the third generation of the Alajmo family, all of whom are passionate chefs and restaurateurs, running their own ventures.
He began his culinary journey by assisting his mother in the kitchen at his family’s restaurant in Rubano, Padua. The restaurant – Le Calandre – was originally founded in 1981 by his parents and now serves as both the heart and central hub of the Alajmo group.
Taking charge as head chef at Le Calandre in 1994, Max Alajmo astounded everyone with his exceptional skills and leadership. The restaurant flourished under his guidance, attaining the coveted 3 Michelin stars, solidifying his place as a renowned chef with this prestigious honor.
Max Alajmo’s culinary style is built upon three fundamental pillars: lightness, fluidity, and depth of flavor. He draws inspiration for his unique and innovative dishes by observing the world with the wonder and curiosity of a child, always seeking new discoveries. Additionally, his unwavering commitment to researching and understanding ingredients plays a crucial role in shaping his remarkable creations.
12. Giovanni Rana
Born in 1937 in Cologna Veneta, Verona, Giovanni Rana, the renowned Italian pasta maker and founder of the Giovanni Rana brand, discovered his passion for working with dough at a young age. Embracing his practical inclinations, he joined his family’s bakery in San Giovanni di Lupatoto in 1950, where he honed his baking skills. This deep-rooted passion eventually led him to establish Pastificio Rana in 1962.
In a remarkable expansion move in 2012, Giovanni Rana fulfilled the American dream by venturing into the United States. He inaugurated his first factory in Chicago and a restaurant in the iconic Chelsea Market in New York. The introduction of his refrigerated pasta, delectable sauces, and ready-made dishes quickly captured the hearts of Americans, sparking widespread popularity and driving further growth. Today, the brand’s reach extends to 38 countries.
Also in 2012, Giovanni Rana proudly unveiled his inaugural restaurant in the United Kingdom. Nestled in Regent’s Place in London, the restaurant brought the essence of authentic Italian cuisine to discerning diners in the UK.
13. Antonia Klugmann
Antonia Klugmann, the talented chef and proprietor of L’Argine a Vencò, was born in Trieste in 1979. After completing high school, she ventured to Milan to pursue a degree in law. However, her true passion for cooking could not be contained, and after three years, she decided to leave the university and delve into the culinary world.
Starting from the ground up, she gained valuable experience by working in various restaurants across Northern Italy. In 2006, Klugmann took a bold step and opened her very own restaurant. Over the next five years, she honed her skills, reaffirming her strong inclination towards presenting innovative and creative cuisine. Her talent soon gained recognition on a national level, propelling her into the culinary spotlight.
Fuelled by a desire to find the perfect setting to express her culinary vision, Klugmann embarked on a quest. In the picturesque countryside of the Collio wine region, she stumbled upon a remarkable location — a 17th-century mill perched among vineyards and embraced by the tranquil Judrio River, lying a mere 1.6 kilometers from the Slovenian border. This culturally rich area, with ties reminiscent of her birthplace, struck a chord with her heart. In 2014, L’Argine a Vencò welcomed its first guests.
Despite starting her culinary journey later in life than many other chefs, Antonia Klugmann rapidly earned a reputation for her extraordinary talent in crafting multicultural dishes on the enchanting Italian-Slovenian border. She maintains an insatiable thirst for knowledge and never stops learning. Her deep reverence for exceptional produce elevates her cuisine to the pinnacle of Italy’s finest culinary experiences.
14. Cesare Casella
Cesare Casella, a famous Italian chef and restaurateur in New York, carries his trademark rosemary sprouting from his shirt pocket. Born in 1960 in the walled Tuscan town of Lucca, near Pisa, he honed his culinary skills at his family’s restaurant, Vipore. After finishing his culinary studies, he came back to Vipore and earned a prestigious Michelin star for the restaurant.
In 1992, the Italian chef embarked on a new culinary journey by moving to New York City, where he thrived as a restaurant consultant. After almost a decade, he achieved a significant milestone by opening Beppe, his first restaurant which is a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather. Drawing inspiration from his Tuscan heritage, Casella reimagines traditional cooking into unique creations that reflect his distinct style.
Food Arts Magazine honored Cesare Casella with the Silver Spoon Award for his outstanding culinary accomplishments. His culinary talents have garnered consistent and effusive praise in a city where restaurant success can be fleeting.
As a testament to his achievements, he has appeared on top cooking shows, authored multiple books, and holds the coveted position of Dean of Italian Studies at the International Culinary Center. His literary contributions include notable books like Diary of a Tuscan Chef (1998), Italian Cooking for Dummies (2002), True Tuscan (2005), and Introduction to Italian Cuisine, which serves as the textbook for the Italian Culinary Academy.
15. Andrea Apuzzo
Andrea Apuzzo is the proud owner of the famous Andrea’s Restaurant, located in Metairie, Louisiana, USA. This delightful Italian restaurant has garnered a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest dining establishments in the New Orleans area.
Andrea Apuzzo was born and raised in the enchanting town of Anacapri, nestled atop the picturesque island off the coast of Naples, Italy. His culinary journey has taken him on a remarkable journey across Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean, where he honed his skills and accumulated invaluable experience.
Having received classical training, Apuzzo has graced the kitchens of exquisite restaurants in several countries, including the United States, England, Spain, Germany, France, and Bermuda. His fluency in multiple languages empowers him to prepare traditional dishes from each of these diverse cuisines, not to mention the rich and varied regional cooking styles of his beloved homeland, Italy.
Andrea Apuzzo’s culinary prowess has been immortalized in two cookbooks he penned, titled La Cucina di Andrea’s and Andrea’s Light Cookbook. His relentless pursuit of excellence has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the prestigious accolades he has earned, including the esteemed DiRoNA Excellence Award and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, among others. Through his culinary artistry and unwavering passion for cooking, Chef Apuzzo continues to delight and impress diners, firmly establishing himself as a true maestro in the culinary world.
16. Nadia Santini
Nadia Santini is renowned for her restaurant, Dal Pescatore, located in Canneto sull’Oglio, Lombardy. Since 1996, the restaurant has proudly held three Michelin stars, with Santini becoming Italy’s first female chef to achieve such a prestigious accolade. Originally opened in the 1910s by Santini’s husband’s great grandparents, Dal Pescatore is an extended trattoria that exudes a rich culinary heritage. In 1974, she assumed the responsibility of running the restaurant alongside her husband, continuing the family’s culinary legacy.
Santini’s culinary journey began at a young age, learning the art of cooking from her future husband’s great grandmother. Over the years, her expertise and dedication to her craft earned her widespread recognition. In 2010, Santini was featured in the TV documentary Three Stars, which showcased chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. Her appearance in the documentary stood out due to her radiant personality and gentle Old World approach to nurturing recipes, colleagues, and clientele, providing a captivating contrast to the frenetic and confrontational kitchens often associated with scientist-chefs.
In 2013, she received another esteemed title, being dubbed the “Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef” by Restaurant magazine’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,” further cementing her status as a trailblazer and icon in the culinary world.
17. Enrico Crippa
Enrico Crippa, a renowned and highly skilled Italian chef, leads the kitchen at Piazza Duomo in Alba, a gastronomic paradise known for its exquisite ingredients. Born in Lombardy in 1971, Crippa’s culinary journey began at 16 in the prestigious Milanese restaurant of the pioneering chef Gualtiero Marchesi, who became his greatest mentor.
In the 1990s, Crippa’s talent was recognized as he won first place in the Concorso Artistico di Cucina competition, reaffirming his path in the culinary world. At 25, he ventured to Japan, working at Gualtiero Marchesi’s restaurant in Kobe and the luxury Rihga Royal Hotel in Osaka. This experience deepened his appreciation for the simplicity and elegance that characterize Japanese cuisine.
In 2005, Crippa partnered with the Ceretto family – renowned pioneers in Piedmont’s winemaking – to establish Piazza Duomo, his first restaurant. Within a year, the restaurant earned its first Michelin star, quickly followed by a second and eventually a third in 2012. Crippa’s trademark lies in harmonizing the finest ingredients, presented with meticulous precision and creativity.
Since 2017, Enrico Crippa has served as the president of the Italian Academy des Bocuse d’Or, further solidifying his position as a culinary authority in Italy.
18. Mario Frittoli
Mario Frittoli, an Italian celebrity chef from Viareggio, Tuscany, is now based in Tokyo, Japan, where he runs the restaurant called Mario i Sentieri. He trained under Chef Angelo Paracucchi in Italy and further developed his skills at the renowned 2 Michelin stars restaurant, Le Carpaccio in France. Under the guidance of the master of French Cuisine, Paul Bocuse, he refined his culinary talents in Lyon.
In 1987, Frittoli arrived in Japan with Angelo Paracucchi and Paul Bocuse to open restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka. The following year, he began teaching at the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka. In 1989, he became the head chef at popular Los Angeles restaurants, Lido and Il Forno, where he showcased his creativity by incorporating Californian cuisine flavors into the menus.
In 2008, Mario launched Mario i Sentieri in Tokyo, which propelled him to even greater fame, especially after his appearances on TV, including the renowned show Iron Chef. He remains a frequent guest on popular TV programs and continues to be featured in magazines, thanks to his international appeal and multilingual abilities.
Apart from his restaurant ventures, Frittoli has also authored two cookbooks featuring his famous dishes, including Mario’s Fantastic Cooking at Home.