Diego Masciaga is a legend in the world of hospitality, best known for his long career as director and maitre d' at the Waterside Inn in Bray, the celebrated three-Michelin-star restaurant founded by the Roux family. With more than 45 years of experience in the industry, Masciaga has trained and inspired generations of service professionals and earned worldwide respect. He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his contributions to the hospitality industry and is considered one of the world's foremost experts on service and customer experience.
Born in Oleggio, in the province of Novara, Italy, Diego Masciaga began his career in the hospitality industry at the age of 13, honing his skills by studying at the Stresa School. After working in France and Germany, he moved to London to work as a Commis at La Gavroche under Michel Roux, where his skill and dedication quickly led to his promotion to Maître d'Hôtel.
In 1988, Masciaga joined the Waterside Inn in Bray, a restaurant that has maintained its three Michelin stars for more than three consecutive decades. There he served as General Manager and Head Chef for 30 years, ensuring that every aspect of service was impeccable. During this time, he served world leaders, royalty and celebrities, developing a global reputation for service excellence.
Throughout his career, Masciaga has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix de l'Art de la Salle from the Académie Internationale de la Gastronomie in 2010 and the title of Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana in 2012 for his contributions to the hospitality industry and support of young professionals in the sector.
In 2018, Diego decided to retire from his role at Waterside Inn to focus on consulting and training. Despite his retirement, he remains connected to the restaurant, attending special events and offering his support when needed. His passion for teaching and mentoring has led him to work with hospitality schools and inspire young talent around the world.
Masciaga is also the author of "The Diego Masciaga Way" (2014), which describes his service philosophy based on excellence, passion and attention to detail. He believes that front-of-house service should receive the same recognition as cooking and has dedicated his professional life to raising the level of professionalism in the industry.
