Federico Delmonte, a chef from the Marche region of Italy, has brought his unique vision of seafood cuisine to Rome with his restaurant, Acciuga, which opened in 2018. Delmonte's approach is centered on market-driven, seasonal cooking, reinventing dishes daily based on what the sea and land have to offer. His dynamic and sustainable menu has positioned him as one of the most innovative chefs on Rome's culinary scene.
The Biography
Federico Delmonte was born in Fano, a coastal town in the Marche region, and his culinary career has been shaped by experiences in prestigious restaurants both in Italy and abroad. Notable stops along his journey include stints at The Dorchester and Zafferano in London, Il Povero Diavolo in Rimini, and Il Pagliaccio under Anthony Genovese in Rome.
After working at other notable Roman restaurants, such as Settembrini and Chinappi, Delmonte decided to embark on his own venture by opening Acciuga in 2018. Located on Via Vodice in the Prati district, Acciuga is a personal expression of Delmonte’s culinary philosophy, which revolves around fresh, market-sourced seafood.
Delmonte’s menu is never fixed; it changes daily based on the freshest catch and the availability of local products from Rome's markets. This approach ensures that the dishes are always fresh, of the highest quality, and reflect a commitment to ethical, sustainable cooking rooted in local traditions and seasonality.
Among his most iconic dishes is the Rotolo di Piada with marinated anchovies, made using olive oil instead of lard, and filled with concentrated tomato, smoked buffalo mozzarella from Caianello, salted anchovies, lemon zest, and wild fennel flowers. Other notable creations include traditional Marche dishes such as sfoglia lorda (stuffed pasta) with mackerel in potacchio sauce, and the famous Fano-style fish brodetto, which is prepared upon special request.
Delmonte’s cuisine is characterized by its simplicity and instinctiveness, underpinned by great technical skill and a deep understanding of ingredients. His dishes consistently showcase the sea as the protagonist.
