Gualtiero Marchesi: A Life Dedicated to Culinary Excellence
Gualtiero Marchesi was born in Milan in 1930. His first encounter with gastronomy occurred at a young age when he began practicing in the kitchen of the family-owned "Mercato" restaurant and hotel.
His professional training began at the Kulm in St. Moritz and the hotel school in Lucerne, Switzerland (1948–1950).
Upon returning to Italy, he worked at the "Mercato" hotel, where he introduced avant-garde cuisine inspired by classical culinary texts.
He later refined his techniques in some of the finest French restaurants, including "Ledoyen" in Paris, "Le Chapeau Rouge" in Dijon, and the Troisgros brothers’ restaurant in Roanne. These experiences further enhanced Marchesi's focus on the evolution of haute cuisine.
In 1977, he returned to Italy and opened his restaurant on Via Bonvesin de la Riva in Milan, which was an immediate success, earning one Michelin star and then two by 1978.
Two years after its opening, gastronomes Gault and Millau, in an interview with Time, listed it among their 15 favorite restaurants in the world.
Top culinary guides placed Marchesi at the pinnacle of Italian dining, and in 1985, for the first time in Italy, the Michelin Guide awarded his restaurant three stars.
Marchesi was also a founding member of Euro-Toques International, the European Community of Chefs, established under the patronage of the EEC.
The 1980s marked the explosion of Marchesi’s creativity. No aspect was left untouched: cookware, plates, cutlery, glasses, tablecloths, and even the design of a futuristic kitchen. He championed the concept of a "total cuisine," where food, table settings, and service were in harmony.
Marchesi launched a signature line of food products distributed in Europe and Japan, consulted for the food industry, and collaborated with Ernesto Illy to create a coffee blend that matched his personal vision.
In 1986, he was honored as a "Knight of the Republic" and received the Ambrogino d'Oro, Milan’s highest civic honor. In 1989, he became the first Italian chef to receive the international Personnalité de l'année award for gastronomy.
In 1990, Marchesi was awarded the title of "Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres" by French Minister of Culture Jack Lang.
In 1991, Italian President Francesco Cossiga named him "Commander."
During the 1990s, Marchesi focused on innovative restaurant models, opening a bistro, a brunch spot, and a rooftop café at Milan’s La Rinascente and a Gualtiero Marchesi Restaurant at London’s Halkin Hotel.
A turning point came in 1993 when he left Milan to create the Relais & Chateaux L’Albereta in Franciacorta.
In 1995, he sent Enrico Crippa to manage the Bistrot di Gualtiero Marchesi in Kobe, Japan, showcasing his appreciation for Japanese culinary elegance.
In 1998, he ventured into retail, designing a vacuum-sealed ready-meal shop near Via Montenapoleone in Milan. That same year, he received the prestigious Artusi Prize.
In the early 2000s, Marchesi was elected President of Euro-Toques International, representing over 3,000 top chefs across Europe.
The new millennium saw a whirlwind of initiatives. In 2000, he opened the Gualtiero Marchesi restaurant in Paris’s Place Vendôme, earning a Michelin star within a year. He also restored Rome’s oldest restaurant, the Hostaria dell’Orso, achieving a Michelin star within a year of reopening.
His insatiable curiosity led him to explore cruise dining, opening two restaurants aboard Costa Cruises’ flagship vessels.
Throughout his career, Marchesi emphasized education, establishing a hands-on training school for chefs.
On June 30, 2001, he was awarded an Honorary Degree in Food Sciences by the Universitas Sancti Cyrilli in Rome.
In 2002, the International Academy of Gastronomy presented him with the Grand Prix "Mémoire et Gratitude," its highest honor, recognizing chefs who have left an indelible mark on culinary history.
In 2003, he was named Honorary President of Euro-Toques International.
In 2008, Marchesi returned to his hometown with the opening of Ristorante Teatro alla Scala Il Marchesino, a tribute to music, family, and Milan. That year, he returned his Michelin stars, declaring his freedom from guide-based evaluations.
In 2010, he founded the Gualtiero Marchesi Foundation to promote the integration of art and cuisine. The foundation’s inaugural activity was the exhibition Storiae d’Italia at Milan’s Castello Sforzesco.
In the years that followed, he continued to receive numerous accolades, including honorary degrees, lifetime achievement awards, and international recognition.
In 2014, he inaugurated the Gualtiero Marchesi Academy at Via Bonvesin de la Riva in Milan, a significant address in his career, symbolizing a "return to the future."
On December 26, 2017, Gualtiero Marchesi passed away, but his legacy endures through the Foundation he created.
In 2019, La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi opened at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, faithfully recreating the Maestro’s iconic dishes, preserving the spirit and artistry of a culinary genius.