Francesco was born and raised in a little town in Calabria (Sibari) in the far south of Italy. From an early age he loved to cook and even dreamed of opening his own restaurant. Inspired by his mother and grandmother, he learned the art of Italian home cooking, from jams, breads and sauces to pasta and cakes. However, he always knew he was destined for greater things than his little home town could offer and as a young man travelled to Rome.

Here he enrolled at the prestigious "Scuole del Gambero Rosso". Having studied under Michelin starred Master chefs, he received the highest Italian award and became a qualified Gambero Rosso chef. His ten years in Rome taught him all there is to know about traditional and modern Italian cuisine. It also offered invaluable life experience and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Apart from his passion for food Francesco loves people. Everyone who comes into his restaurant is very important to him and is welcomed as a personal friend. He likes to be to his guests as his mother was to him, spoiling them with wonderful treats: soups, salads, pasta, home-made bread, cakes and desserts, all with an original twist - that distinctive Francesco touch. Perfection and originality are very important to Francesco and he likes to use fresh local ingredients as well as the best Italian products available.

Francesco came to England in 2009 and luckily for us he loves it here and plans to stay, if only because (in his own words):

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"The day after I arrived, I met my future wife, Cassie, and mother of my child Luigi (named after my father, who named me after his). Having worked in an English restaurant in Newquay for 4 years I felt I gained enough experience of the British custom to have my own restaurant (that and learning to bodyboard, ate my first Cornish pasty and found my love for the real ale Betty Stogs!). Personally I love good food and good wine, especially in good company!"

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2019 saw the arrival of another little Alfano, a little girl called Luna, and so the Amore family grew a little bigger! 

Then, in 2022 mini Alfano the 3rd joined the crew, and we welcomed Tristan!

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Follow Francesco's personal Instagram account at @francescoalfanochef