Sun Siyam Olhuveli Welcomes Italian Chef Francesca Gambacorta for Milano Residency
In the latest installment of its popular Chef Residency program, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is delighted to announce the arrival of renowned Italian chef Francesca Gambacorta to inspire an unforgettable culinary journey at **Milano**, the resort’s signature Italian restaurant. This culinary residency offered a unique, kitchen-driven experience that combined authentic Italian cuisine with the laid-back spirit of island living, where teaching, sharing, and craftsmanship were at the forefront of every dish.
Known for her emotionally inspired take on modern Italian cuisine, Chef Francesca is convinced that food has a story to tell—about place, memory, and emotion. With a worldwide Instagram fan base of over 700,000 followers, named one of Italy’s Top 20 Food Influencers by *Forbes Italia* in 2021, and the success of her bestselling book *Semplicità Complessa — Il gourmet per tutti*, she promotes the beauty of intelligent simplicity—an approach that harmonized perfectly with the Sun Siyam Olhuveli lifestyle.
Throughout her residency, Milano’s kitchen became a creative space. Chef Francesca worked closely with the culinary team through hands-on training, live cooking demonstrations, and real-time service guidance. From carefully hand-crafted fresh pasta to regionally inspired sauces, the message was simple: pay homage to the ingredient, perfect the technique, and follow the flavor. But the residency also instilled a mindset. Chefs were encouraged to cook with purpose—to approach every dish as a story where balance, timing, and emotion are as important as accuracy. This mindset now permeates Milano’s menu, from the development of dishes to the way they are plated and presented.
This change was brought directly to the table on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, when Chef Francesca led a special evening service. Part celebration, part live cooking class, the evening brought her culinary philosophy to life right in the kitchen’s rhythm. Today, Milano exudes more confidence, more flair, and more Italian passion. Hand-crafted pastas, beautifully balanced sauces, and timeless dishes are presented with easy-going authenticity—inspired by tradition, informed by mentorship, and seasoned with an island twist.
Guests are encouraged to experience Milano as part of Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary journey, where dining is unhurried, intimate, and seamlessly integrated into the vacation experience.
