Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura is awarded a first michelin star
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura has been awarded a Michelin star in the 2020 Italian Michelin Guide, less than two years after opening on Piazza della Signoria, Florence in January 2018.
The intimate 30 cover restaurant is a partnership originating from a childhood friendship of Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri and Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura and celebrates their shared love of two core Italian cultural themes: food and fashion. Growing up together in Modena, Italy, they have always challenged each other to innovate in their respective fields, and thus created a destination that is steeped in passion and heritage, viewed through an original and creative lens.
At the helm, is chef de cuisine Karime López, a Mexican-born chef with a stellar culinary experience at some of the world’s best restaurants. She began her career at Santi Santamaria, the two Michelin-starred Sant Celoni. Her career then took Karime all over the world, from three Michelin-starred culinary temples Noma in Copenhagen and Ryugin in Tokyo to Pujol in her native Mexico City, Mugaritz in Spain and eventually with Virgilio Martinez at his Lima restaurant Central. She moved to Italy and began working with Massimo Bottura at Osteria Francescana before taking up position as chef de cuisine at the Gucci Osteria.
Karime’s menu is inspired by her international career and culinary travels, the global origins and experience of her team, as well as her passion for art and music. She challenges the traditional perception of Italian cuisine, creating playful takes on classic dishes.
“This is an incredible achievement that fills us with joy. I have been friends with Marco for over 40 years and this is a wonderful recognition for the vision that we have created together with the Gucci family. Alessandro Michele has created an incredible space, and his support and inspiration have fuelled us both over the past few years,” commented Massimo Bottura. “When ideas are born of friendships, they harness a different strength and this is just the beginning of an exciting adventure.”
Karime adds: “I am so happy for the entire team at Gucci Osteria, which has worked with me for nearly two years. This award is a tribute to them and we are thrilled that our passion and commitment have been recognised in this prestigious guide. I will continue to challenge myself to create new experiences for our guests and I am excited for what the next year will bring.”
Gucci Osteria sits within Gucci Garden, located within the elegant, ancient Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence, a significant location as it was the birthplace of the House. Designed by Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele, the palazzo features evolving exhibitions, a retail boutique and cinema alongside the Osteria. Through curating a wide range of pieces from collections dating back to Gucci’s origins in 1921 and marrying these with recent work, memorabilia, ephemera and contemporary art, Gucci Garden is not only a celebration of a rich archive, but a lively, interactive experience.
This prestigious one star rating cements Gucci Osteria as a pioneering destination on the Italian restaurant scene. It celebrates the House’s commitment to self-expression and collaboration across various creative worlds, a theme inherent in Florentine history as the historical centre of cultural exchange.
Leave a comment