Francesco Apreda, an eclectic and passionate chef, has turned his passion for cooking into a global culinary journey. From Naples to England, Japan, and India, his creations blend traditional Italian flavors with exotic influences and have earned him a MICHELIN Star at "Idylio by Apreda."
Francesco Apreda hails from Naples, but at a very young age of 20, he ventured to London, where he honed his culinary skills under the guidance of Michel Roux at the "Le Gavroche" restaurant, awarded Two MICHELIN Stars. There, he mastered the techniques of French and international cuisine. He later returned to Italy, working at "Ibla," and then back to the British capital at "Green Olive" under the renowned Italian chef Maurizio Morelli. During this period, Francesco fused his practical vision of Italian cuisine with a background of creative and cultural freedom.
At the age of 27, he embarked on a new journey in Tokyo, taking the reins of the Italian restaurant "Cicerone" at the "Imperial Hotel" in the Japanese city. For nearly three years, his culinary exploration embraced Japanese flavors, delving into the discovery of umami, exploring and adopting ingredients, adding them to his repertoire.
He then returned to Italy, this time landing at the "Hotel Hassler" in Rome as the executive chef. He later opened "Imago," the restaurant on the sixth floor of the hotel, where he earned his first MICHELIN Star in 2009. For over a decade, he provided culinary consultancy at the "Oberoi Hotel and Resort," collaborating on the launch of two fine dining Italian restaurants in their establishments: "Travertino" in Delhi and "Vetro" in Mumbai. These restaurants became landmarks for Italian cuisine in India. The essence of culinary pleasure for Apreda lies in the exploration of basic ingredients, delving into their processing and pairing with Italian ingredients.
In 2019, Francesco decided to change course in his career, accepting the position of executive chef at "The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel," where his restaurant "Idylio by Apreda" earned a MICHELIN Star just 6 months after opening. Additionally, Apreda took on the role of chef ambassador for the Tridente Collection Group, developing new culinary concepts in the group's prestigious hotels. The first of these was "Divinity Terrace," located right within "The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel."
Apreda is an authentic Italian who combines his traditional heritage with international experiences, having spent 5 years in London, 3 in Japan, and 10 in India. This cultural diversity is reflected in his dishes that are a unique blend of Italian cuisine with oriental spices, which for he created his own line.
Cover Photo Credits: @AlbertoBlasetti
