Champion of vegetarian cuisine, Pietro Leemann, from "Joia" in Milan, has been honored with a MICHELIN Star and a Green Star for sustainability by presenting gourmet plant-based dishes. But the chef's commitment doesn't end there: he founded "The Vegetarian Chance" festival and the Joia Academy, aimed at training both professionals and enthusiasts in vegetarian cooking. On the same subjects, Pietro offers consultations and catering services for private events through Pietro Leemann Vegetarian Consulting.
Pietro Leemann was born in Locarno, Switzerland, during the summer of 1961. From a young age, his parents shared with him a passion for horticulture, kindling in Pietro a strong connection to nature. The year 1976 marked a pivotal moment in his life, a culinary ecstasy in the form of a vanilla bavaroise, crafted by the renowned Ticinese chef Angelo Conti Rossini, instilled in him the determination to pursue a professional culinary path. Pietro was trained and refined under the guidance of celebrated masters like Angelo, Gualtiero Marchesi, and Frédy Girardet. Alongside, his soul, captivated by the world of philosophy and mysticism, led him on a journey of discovery in the East, exploring its captivating culture.
In 1989, Pietro opened "Joia" with a group of friends in Milan, and by 1996, the restaurant made history as the first gourmet vegetarian restaurant to be awarded a MICHELIN Star. From that point onwards, the chef's talent continued to earn him accolades: for the quality and originality of his cuisine, he received the Pellegrino Artusi award in 2000 and, in 2010, that of the City of Fabriano.
2015 marked another milestone in Leemann's career as he became an ambassador chef for ExpoMilano and inaugurated the Joia Academy. Launched in collaboration with Sauro Ricci, the academy is an independent institution with the goal of promoting vegetarian culture in various aspects: dietary, health, agricultural, social, philosophical, and psychological. The Joia Academy offers amateur and professional training courses, as well as master classes in vegetarian cooking.
In 2018, the Centennial Foundation of the Bank of Italian Switzerland awarded Leemann a prize in recognition of his significant contributions over more than three decades as a chef. During this period, he established a benchmark for high-level vegetarian cuisine in Italy, wrote numerous cookbooks, and delved into topics of food culture and natural philosophy. Moreover, together with journalist friend Gabriele Eschenazi, he founded "The Vegetarian Chance," the first international festival of vegetarian culture and cuisine.
In 2020, "Joia" was awarded the Green MICHELIN Star for promoting ethical and environmentally conscious gastronomy. Leemann actively engages in various projects, partnering with both public and private entities, to champion principles of healthy, sustainable, and conscious cooking. Furthermore, he initiated the Pietro Leemann Vegetarian Consulting, dedicated to assisting and guiding companies on their journey towards more sustainable paradigms. This venture also offers catering services for private events, giving attendees the opportunity to experience organic, health-conscious cuisine.
