Beginnings
I was born in Lanzo, a small beautiful village at the foot of the Alps, near Turin in Italy. Lanzo is in the Italian Region of Piedmont and, by tradition, is where the grissino, the ubiquitous Italian breadstick, was invented by Antonio Brunero in 1679.

At the age of 12 I started my long career in catering, washing up at a local hotel. I had to stand on a wooden tomato box to be able to reach the sink.

Catering School
Two years later, at the age of 14, I started a three year course at Catering School in Turin. During my summer vacations I travelled all over Italy, pursuing my catering studies and deepening my professional skills in various 4- and 5-star hotels.

Widening Horizons
At 18 I left Italy to travel and to experience different cuisines.
First stop was San Tropez in France, then on to Bournemouth England, Chicago and Boston in the United States of America, then to Dusseldorf in Germany. Finally, I returned to England, where I have lived and worked for more than 20 years.

Of the many things I have done in my life, I particularly enjoyed a period of four years teaching Italian Cookery at Christchurch College.

La Lupa 3
In 1999 I went into partnership to open La Lupa 3 here on the Quay in Poole, Dorset; I was Head Chef, and my partner looked after the dining room. In January 2009, I took over the business with my wife Jeannette. We have started a gradual programme of improvements to the restaurant. Today, I am still very much 'hands on' in the kitchen, as well as meeting and greeting our customers.

Benvenuti alla Lupa!