Owner, Chef Gennaro Contaldo

Born 21 January 1949 Minori, Amalfi Coast, Italy. Contaldo grew up in the small village of Minori on the Amalfi Coast, developing his love for food from days he spent hunting with his father and grandfather, and collecting herbs for his mother. Career : Is the executive chef and co-owner of Passione, in Charlotte Street, London, UK. He began working in local restaurants at age 8. He left Italy in 1969 for London, briefly establishing an Italian antiques business, before returning to cooking. Contaldo's inspiration to cook in England was partly due to the availability of game and funghi, both important components of Amalfitan cuisine. He later worked for popular London restaurants in St John's Wood and at Antonio Carluccio's Neal Street Restaurant in the 1980s. He left Neal Street in 1998 to open Passione in 1999. Passione was awarded 'Best Italian Restaurant 2005' by the Tio Pepe Restaurant Awards. He published his first Italian cookbook, Passione which is dedicated to the Amalfitan style of cooking. Passione won 'Gourmand World Cookbook - Best Italian Cuisine Book 2003.' His second book, Gennaro's Italian Year, was published in September 2006. Contaldo is also famous for his association with his protege, Jamie Oliver. Contaldo has appeared on many of Oliver's shows.