Two-Michelin-starred restaurant Da Vittorio Shanghai has named its new Executive Chef: Leonardo Zambrino.
The appointment is timed to coincide with the 6th anniversary of the acclaimed restaurant – an outpost of the legendary Da Vittorio in Brusaporto in Italy. For the Cerea family, the nomination from within instead of external selection is wise, and according to Chef Bobo Cerea who accompanies his brother Enrico Cerea as the Executive Chef of the three-Michelin-starred Da Vittorio, the decision to designate the 34-year-old Zambrino was quick.
“We believe that he has the ability do take the role, and we’re sure that we will do better than before,” Chef Bobo Cerea added that a stints with both Da Vittorio and Da Vittorio Shanghai, coupled with nine years of work and life in China, did make Zambrino the man for the job.
The move that comes out of the blue brims with excitement in Chef Zambrino. An opportunity to carry a family name with about 60 years of legacy on the shoulder makes him feel proud of himself, while maintaining a restaurant at that height and level is challenging. “I have confidence in myself, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Chef Zambrino.
Contemporary Italian cuisine with a family tradition
Though taking the reins of the kitchen is a new phase for Chef Zambrino, he’s not alien to the establishment because he’s been a part of it, contributing to the much raved as one of China’s best Italian restaurants since its inception in June 2019.
Riding on this success, the chef will go further the contemporary Italian cuisine that carries a family lineage lasting for 60 years. An Italian root, extensive work experience in France, the United Kingdom and China, with the addition of freedom given to create in the kitchen, support him to crystalize a fresh vision for the cuisine in Da Vittorio Shanghai.
Celebrated for his take on Italian cuisine with meticulous care, he will fasten on the sauces intended for filling with Italian soul while minimizing French influences as much as possible.
Stay positive to China market and move on
With the buzzy Da Vittorio Shanghai beautifully catering to local appetites, it marks a time for the family to think how far it could continue to go and to expand the presence.
Innovative projects remain undisclosed, but it turns out that the Cerea family – including Chef Bobo Cerea and the Executive Director Rossella Cerea – look forward with optimism about the China market.
Having carved out a restaurant with prospering business albeit with a fluctuation for lunch reservation lately, a strong team and core value being built, a prediction of a turnaround in the economy, all combined to heighten their confidence.
A close tie between the Italian and Shanghai Cerea family is forged, with the increased interactions through visits of Chef Bobo Cerea and Rossella Cerea in the past years. For now, breathing more harmony in the team is more expected, as compared to the offerings ranging from food to service that keep consistently superior quality.