Ernesto Iaccarino is the heir to the dynasty of restaurateurs from "Don Alfonso 1890," originally located in Sant'Agata sui due Golfi and now spread around the world. After the temporary closure of the historic restaurant, Ernesto focuses on other restaurants, with a standout being "Don Alfonso 1890 San Barbato," the MICHELIN-Starred establishment in Lavello.
Ernesto Iaccarino was born in 1970, the heir to the family that led the restaurant "Don Alfonso 1890" in Sant'Agata sui due Golfi. Ernesto is the younger son and a chef, while the elder, Mario, serves as the maître.
After earning a degree in Economics and Commerce from Bocconi University in Milan in 1999, Ernesto decided to return home, drawn by the call of his homeland.
"Don Alfonso 1890" held Three MICHELIN Stars in the four-year period from 1997 to 2001, maintained two in the following years, and then lost them. The historic restaurant closed in 2023 but will reopen in 2024.
Ernesto continued to uphold the ancient culinary traditions of the Iaccarino family, using high-quality ingredients, many of which came from the Pieracciole farm, an 8-hectare estate located on the beautiful Punta Campanella. These ingredients were combined with modern techniques, always keeping the best Mediterranean tradition at the heart of the cuisine.
Ernesto also oversees the family's other businesses: the "Hotel Grand Lisboa" in Macao, China, the "Tramontano Hotel" in Sorrento, Naples, the "Helena Bay Lodge" in Auckland, New Zealand, the "Don Alfonso 1890" restaurant in Toronto, the MICHELIN-Starred "Don Alfonso 1890 San Barbato" in Lavello, Basilicata, and, most recently, the "Casa Don Alfonso" in St. Louis, Missouri, within the "Ritz Carlton."
Now, we only have to await the reopening of the historic restaurant.
