Riccardo Canella has been named the Executive Chef at Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice. The move will see the Italian culinary star take the reins at the hotel’s Ristorante Oro, in addition to overseeing the Cip’s Club, Porticciolo, Bar Gabbiano, events and private dining.

Chef Canella has worked for some of the world’s biggest names in the industry, including Gualtiero Marchesi, Fabrizio Molteni and Massimiliano Alajmo. He spent seven years working as Sous Chef to René Redzepi at Noma in Copenhagen.

“Returning to Italy, tiptoeing into my homeland, into a panorama as magical and mysterious as Venice, is the only road I would go down to test myself at this point in my career,” says Canella of his new role. “I am happy and extremely fortunate to be able to finally give a voice to my way of cooking across this region full of history and treasures to be brought to light.”

Marco Novella, Managing Director of Cipriani, adds: “I am thrilled that a young, dynamic chef, but one with so much experience under his belt already as Riccardo is coming to join our team at Cipriani. Riccardo has an original personality and a talent that is recognised worldwide. His arrival in Venice is indicative of the profound gastronomic revolution that the city has been experiencing for some years now and which Cipriani is embracing.”

Heritage destination Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, will reopen for the 2022 season on March 10.

Image: ©Federico Ciamei