Enrico Gerli, a self-taught chef and owner of I Castagni in Vigevano, has built a career based on his love for the Lomellina area, transforming the family farmhouse into a starred restaurant. Internationally recognized, he is a member of Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe (JRE) and Charming Italian Chef (Chic).
Enrico Gerli was born and raised in the lombardy countryside, in the province of Pavia, where he developed a strong bond with his homeland and its flavors. Initially set on a musical career, he attended the conservatory and university, but felt that cooking was his true vocation. So, in the 1980s, he decided to abandon his studies and devote himself to catering. With the support of his wife Luisa, in 1989 he opened the restaurant I Castagni on the family property in Vigevano, creating a refined and hospitable environment inspired by french farmhouses.
His philosophy is based on substance; the dishes celebrate the products of the Bel Paese and, above all, the local products of Lomellina. The love for the territory is reflected in creations that revisit traditional recipes with modern techniques. Iconic dishes such as risotto with veal tripe or regional specialties reinterpreted with a modern twist pay homage to its roots.
Over the years, the restaurant's success has grown so much that in 1990 it received its first Gambero Rosso award, followed by inclusion in the Rossa, and then a Michelin star, which it has held ever since.
A member of Euro-Toques Italia, JRE and Chic, Gerli actively participates in international events and collaborations, such as the collaboration on the book The flavors Tohoku, a work that explores an unprecedented marriage between italian and japanese gastronomy.
