Raffaele Alajmo is a prominent figure in the Italian gastronomic scene. Along with his siblings Massimiliano and Laura, he continues the third generation of restaurateurs in the family.
Born in 1968, Raffaele, known to everyone as Raf, began his journey in the restaurant business at a young age. After graduating in Padova, he joined his parents, Erminio and Rita, at the family restaurant “Le Calandre” as a sommelier.
It was in 1989 that Raf discovered his true passion for wines. He attended the Magister Vini course and completed all three levels of the sommelier course. This led to a pilgrimage to prestigious wine cellars in France and Italy.
His transition to maître d’ took place in 1994 when his parents handed over the restaurant’s management to their three children. Alajmo was determined to uphold the family's reputation. This marked the beginning of years of significant professional growth and vital business partnerships.
In 2006, his efforts and versatility earned him the Luigi Veronelli award in Milan as the "Emerging Patron of Italy" for his skill in rapidly growing the family business.
The following years were fruitful for Raf and his siblings, and the Alajmo name continued to rise. Thanks to his entrepreneurial instincts, from 2006 to 2018, they published a book, opened various locations, workshops, and stores worldwide, including “Calandrino Tokyo” in Japan, and took over the management of “Gran Caffè & Ristorante Quadri” in Venice.
They also became speakers for Identità Golose, launched a design line for table settings in collaboration with Italian artisans, and were invited to Avignon for the "European Forum of Culture, Communication, and Economy" by the French Prime Minister. Among their most significant projects is the renovation of “Le Calandre,” now a Three MICHELIN-Starred restaurant.
Alajmo is the CEO and maître des lieux of the Alajmo Group. Raf has proven himself not only as a skilled connoisseur of the restaurant industry but also of the market, providing his family with the support and drive needed for expansion and prosperity.
