Culinary Artist & Executive Chef Gianfranco Chiarini, short Biography.
Executive & Corporate Celebrity Chef. Gianfranco Chiarini, Multi Continental Cuisine, Culinary and Scientific research for new gastronomic trends, Molecular analysis, Classic Michelin cuisine, Food analysis, Design and Development of exciting new culinary concepts, Close networking with worldwide consultancy chefs.
Born in January 8th 1966 in Ferrara, Italy. Chef Gianfranco Chiarini, comes from Colombo-Italian origins, and at an early age was exposed to a multi-cultural environment. Growing up between (Ferrara - Italy), (Caracas - Venezuela) and (New York City - U.S.A).
Early Cooking Career:
In 1986, the young Chiarini enrolled in the Instituto de Alta Gastronomia de Caracas, Venezuela, which has been closed due to political unbalances in this country. During this time Chiarini studied and worked in several restaurants, and found his passion for cooking would develop into becoming his one true profession.
Back to the United States where he enrolled at the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute, a branch of the Culinary Institute of America and the world renowned, Le Cordon Bleu. There again his life was spent between his practical experience in restaurants and his culinary studies.
After completing his degree at the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute, he moved to France where he was thrust into the heart of the most competitive culinary region of the world. But, Chiarini’s ability to multi-task his time, learn and absorb at an extreme fast pace, and ambitious spirit led him to enroll at Le Cordon Bleu one of the most ambitious and prestigious culinary schools in Europe and the world.
While at Le Cordon Bleu he worked under masters like Alain Dutournier chef/owner of Carre des Feuillants (**Michelin_stars), and later while in Rome, Italy working under the enigmatic Executive Chef Heinz Beck at La Pergola (***Michelin_stars), and in Ferrara, Italy working for top-level restaurants such as, Antichi Sapori and Hostaria Savonarola as a sous chef. Moving became again imminent, when The Pirsch Mühle (*Michelin star), restaurant in Germany offered him the opportunity to run the kitchen along with the Executive Chef and owner, Sigmund Leypold.
Professional Career:
Beginning the new millennium chef Chiarini decided to have a new challenge in his learning, and teaching process. He moved to the Middle East, starting with Intercontinental hotels in Oman. During this period dedicated part of his time also to the consultancy business for Al Bustan Palace and Shangri-La Hotels. Later he moved to Bahrain, and developed culinary concepts for Mövenpick and Marriott.
His next target was Kuwait, where he fully engaged his culinary career as chef with Marriott Hotels. There he was in charge of Marriott’s flagship property Courtyard Deluxe Edition. He developed, and brought to the next level the signature and deluxe Nord-Italian specialties restaurant “Il Forno”. While at Marriott he established two renowned “Chaines des Rotisseurs”.
In Kuwait Chiarini developed a close relationship with the late Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, where he created exotic dinners for the family. There he became widely known as a celebrity TV chef, with the broadcasting channel Al Rai. Chiarini starred in more than 50 cooking shows, where he featured and introduced a more personal level of the true European culinary cuisine to the Persian Gulf community. Currently, Kuwait still remains his most beloved country in the Gulf.
Chiarini continued his culinary journey adding Spain, U.K and Ireland to his European repertoire as well as Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. In Africa chef worked for the Starwood hotels chain, in one the most luxurious and posh properties in Eastern Africa; the Sheraton Addis a part of the Luxury Collection of Starwood hotels. Ethiopia is well known for being the diplomatic capital of Africa, and in this setting it was unavoidable that chef Chiarini would cross paths with some of the most prominent local and international politicians of this century.
He served personalities like; the 39th President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter, the president of Israel Shimon Peres, the Presidents of the (AU) African Union, including the Ex Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
His time spent in Asia inspired him to travel throughout the continent immersing him in the food, and absorbing the culture giving him a great appreciation and deep understanding of the Asian culture. Countries like China, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines have been a great source of culinary knowledge and amazing experience for the chef.
In Australia, New Zealand and Oceania the chef has expanded tremendously and unexpectedly, since his first book’s impact on this continent; where chef Chiarini’s The Emerald Book, achieved first place in conjunction with the current culinary cook book from "Noma" (best restaurant of the world). In Australia the impact has been seen, as this continent’s need and appreciation for Italian top culinary artistry.
The renowned food, wine and travel authority Visitvineyards.com placed the chef’s "Emerald" book at first place for the best top twelve, and most beautiful culinary books for the 2010/2011 year.
In January 2011, Chiarini was featured as Star chef in the jet set magazine 8 (Thamāniya), from Saudi Arabia. This magazine is the exclusive property of Princess Amira al-Taweel and the Saudi prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. Additionally, the chef has been featured as a celebrity chef for his activities in the Middle East and his books “The New Renaissance of Italian Fusion Cuisine Collection”. The books are a tribute to the ebb and flow of culinary influences between Italy and the rest of the world. Chef Gianfranco is proud to present the new classics of Italian cuisine, as Chiarini has noticed how Italian food has enjoyed a great deal of popularity throughout the years, but recently has stagnated.
In February 2011, Chef Gianfranco has been honored with his inclusion in Wikipedia the free world encyclopedia, for his accomplishments and contributions to the culinary arts in six continents and around the globe. This segment of the book was taken from the Wikipedia article itself.
This Wikipedia Article was written, and contributed by Beverly Wehmer Johnson.
Chef. Gianfranco Chiarini also speaks 7 languages, and is publishing the first cookbook of a unique trilogy. A beautiful compilation of great masterpieces, created with care by the chef gathering influences and a fusion of cultures from around the world, having as a base Italian Cuisine.
The book is a perfect balance like all his dishes are, of history, techniques, colors, flavors, sensations and textures; mixing as well Classic Italian Michelin Cuisine with Modern Fusions, old basic techniques with modern cutting edge tools and equipment. And all as a result of his journeys and culinary adventures in all the continents of the world.
Chef. Gianfranco has been involved in diverse public and private culinary activities some includes:
Aug/2001 - Chosen by Il Comune di Ferrara (City hall of Ferrara) as the Chef in charge to design, create, and execute the buffets and culinary proposals in the venue that hosted the acclaimed Buskers Festival held annually in the city of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna - Italy.
Mar/2005 - Chosen by Marriott as the Chef in charge to design, create, and execute a 5-course Michelin gala dinner in the venue that hosted the acclaimed culinary organization Chaine Des Rotisseurs, @ The Arraya Ballroom in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Feb/2006 - Chosen by Alrai TV in Kuwait as the celebrity and TV Chef, in the Middle East for the regional and multi-national broadcasting. His cooking shows where featured all over the Middle East, Gulf countries and North African Arabic speaking countries.
Apr/2006 - Chosen by Marriott as the Chef in charge to design, create, and execute a 5-course Michelin gala dinner in the venue that hosted the acclaimed culinary organization Chaine Des Rotisseurs, @ The Arraya Ballroom in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Feb/2007 - Chosen at the Sheraton Addis the Luxury Collection as the Chef de Cuisine in charged to cater the private dinners for the, Ex-president Jimmy Carter and his wife in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nov/2008 - Festival Gourmet International @ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where participated as Guest Chef & Jury, exposing his trademark. Italian Renaissance Cuisine.
Nov/2009 - FiE 2009 (Food Ingredients Europe), @ the Messehalle in Frankfurt, Germany on the biggest food ingredients show globally held every two years. Chef. Gianfranco did participate as Culinary Leader for the team.
May/2010 - PLMA (Private Label Manufacturers Association), @ the RAI Expo Complex in Amsterdam, Holland on the biggest fair of this nature in the world. Chef. Gianfranco did participate as Culinary Leader for the team.
Jul/2010 - Invited by the Intercontinental Hotel Group as the Michelin Starred Chef in charge to design, create, and execute the Deluxe gala dinner and Haute Italian Cuisine promotion @ the Intercontinental Citystars in Cairo, Egypt.
Nov/2010 - Invited by the Czech Television Channel "Prima"and their national TV host and fitness/nutrition icon Petr Havliĉek, as the Michelin Starred Chef in the TV show"Souboj v těžké váze" in charge to execute live presentations and talk about "National Starch Food Innovation's" cutting edge nutrition and fiber applications to modern manufacturing food industries, in the culinary arts. In Prague, Czech Republic.
Dec/2011 - Publication and official launching of his first book entitled: The New Renaissance of Italian Fusion Cuisine 1.0. The first one of a trilogy that will be published back to back until 2013. Already reviewed by Rasegna Culinaria di Milano and Culinary Trends magazines, as the most revealing culinary book for Italian cuisine of 2011.
Jan/2011 - "The New Renaissance of Italian Fusion Cuisine 1.0" Rated in Australia as the most beautiful and complete culinary book in that continent. Sharing the first place of the top twelve with Noma Restaurant (Best restaurant of the world 2011). Link: http://tinyurl.com/24oof9t
Jan/2011 - Inclusion of chef Gianfranco in the biggest Italian cuisine site globally EatItalian, as the "Culinary Guru" with a permanent page entitled "Expert Spotlight". Link: www.eatitalian.com
Feb/2011 - Inclusion of chef Gianfranco in the "Celebrity Chefs Hall of Fame" sharing the spotlight with Gordon Ramsay, Giorgio Locatelli, Marco Pierre White and many more. Link: http://www.celebritychefs-online.com/index.html
Feb/2011 - The honorable inclusion of chef Gianfranco Chiarini into the precious and reputable lifetime encyclopedia "Wikipedia". The chef has been awarded with this inclusion, for his lifetime achievements and over the top contributions to the world of culinary arts in six continents. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianfranco_Chiarini
May/2011 - Kayra Terra Wines Turkey. Chef Gianfranco Chiarini special guest invited, to execute a Michelin Gala style 7 course menu dinner, for VIP and personalities. The event was created to unify the new generation of Turkish wines with the new generation of Italian cuisine Link: http://www.kayrasaraplari.com/en/bbulten018.asp
May/2011 - CNN TÜRK. The famous newscast and international broadcasting agency, interviewed chef Gianfranco Chiarini in the occasion of his visit to Istanbul, and the promotion of his best seller, The New Renaissance of Italian Fusion Cuisine 1.0. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zacnb_4oY0A
Specialties:
Multi Continental Cuisine, Culinary & Scientific research for new gastronomic trends, Molecular and Classic Michelin Cuisine, Design/Development of exciting new culinary concepts for the global food manufacturers and retailers in three continents, Close networking with a worldwide network of 10.000 chefs in six continents. Close strategic relationships with key customers and retailers worldwide. Carry out internal and external training sessions, Lead external culinary seminars. Culinary consultancy for food manufacturers, retailers, cruise lines, restaurants and hotels around the globe.
