Franco Palandra

Franco Palandra was born in a small village in the south of Italy near Caserta called Camigliano. At the age of 14 he enrolled at the National Hotellerie institute of Italy for a five year course and graduated when he was 19 years.
During the summer vacations he worked in different areas of Italy in Restaurants and Hotels learning the different Italian regional cuisine.
After graduation school he decided to travel and work in Europe to learn the cuisine of other European countries and different techniques. He worked in England as an assistant chef and learnt a great deal in the kitchen there and also how to speak English! Franco also worked in France, Switzerland and Greece on Rhode and has through his travels and experience given traditional Italian dishes an international character making his dishes truly special. This passion to experiment and innovate classic Italian recipes gave him the opportunity to work on board the Caronia vessel of the Cunard line. His Italian restaurant on board this luxury cruise vessel was a great success and he was appointed head chef of the restaurant.
Franco now lives with his girlfriend (Paola) and his dog in Arezzo, where works as a chef in one of the top restaurant in Arezzo in the medieval old town. In free time Franco loves doing freelance photography and helping out at the dog refugees center.

Click here to see some of the dishes Franco might make – it also depends on the season and mood of the group what is made!

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