Chef Cappellini Comes to Cairo
Bringing the true taste of Italy to Egypt, Bella at Four Seasons at Nile Plaza has just welcomed in Chef Emanuele Cappellini who will be revamping the restaurant's menu. We speak to him to find out more...
One of the first authentic Italian restaurants to make Cairenes cry ‘mama mia!’ Four Seasons at Nile Plaza’s Bella is getting revamped. Not only will the restaurant itself look and feel different upon its impending re-launch, but the menu too will get a whole new taste as the five-star hotel has just brought in new head chef, Italian food guru Emanuele Cappellini, and his worldly experience.
Having started his career at the tender age of 17, Cappellini may just be the most experienced chef in Cairo right now. Being Italian himself, the world famous cuisine is of course his forte. “Cooking the dishes I grew up with and adapting, modernising and playing with them is my favourite thing,” he tells us. In the six years after his official training, he found himself in kitchens across the world, from his homeland of Italy, to Switzerland and the USA, before taking up a three year residency at the only Michelin Star Italian restaurant outside of Italy, at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, proving his prowess and knowledge in the culinary world – something he’s hoping to impart on Egyptian foodies at Bella.
Since then, Cappellini has worked at some of the world’s top hotels, which naturally means some of the world’s best restaurants, from Delhi to London, Puerto Rico, New York and Geneva. And now he’s in Cairo catering to the most discerning taste buds at Four Seasons at Nile Plaza. Bringing his heritage with him, he plans to introduce Egypt to the true taste of Italy – though that isn’t without its challenges.
“When working in a foreign country, it’s really important that the ingredients used are carefully tested and tasted so the end dish is as the original, while using quality imported ingredients,” he explains. Matched with one of the most impressive imported wine lists in Egypt that the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza prides itself on, Bella is shaping up to be the go-to Italian restaurant in Cairo.
“I want to create a real Italian dining experience,” adds Cappellini, as we talk about the renovations currently underway at Bella. By opening up the kitchen, letting the unmistakable aromas of fresh Italian cooking permeate the place, we’re promised an authentic atmosphere. As for the flavours? “I love working with seafood and fresh herbs. Look out for my signature lobster dishes,” says the charming chef with a wink.
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