Back in November, the eighth installment of the Michelin Guide Shanghai 2024 was released, the world's most respected (and feared) restaurant list, with 51 stars being awarded across the city.
READ MORE: 51 Restaurants Receive Stars in the 2024 Michelin Guide Shanghai
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
One of the most exciting newly star-awarded venues was New Wave by Da Vittorio, which made the jump from a Michelin Selected restaurant in 2023 to its very first star – a well-deserved accolade for the innovative sister restaurant to three Michelin-starred Da Vittorio, a premium Italian venue hailing from Bergamo.
New Wave by Da Vittorio Executive Chef Francesco Bonvini
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
After letting the initial waves of euphoria wash over him, we sat down with Executive Chef Francesco Bonvini to learn more about what this great achievement means for him, the team, and the future of New Wave.
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
First of all, congratulations on winning your first Michelin star, a major achievement! What was your immediate reaction when you found out New Wave by Da Vittorio had won?
Very excited, and very happy with the work we have done to achieve this result; this award is the direct result of both sacrifice and teamwork.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
And what does winning a Michelin star mean to you personally?
Definitely this is a very important milestone for a chef's career. At the same time, it is a spur – or motivation – to continue to do better.
Who else is a major contributor towards achieving this lifelong goal?
Our strength has been our collaboration and harmony. A team effort between the kitchen, floor staff and the company of Da Vittorio that has supported us in difficult moments.
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
Will this Michelin status change New Wave by Da Vittorio’s offerings, vibe, or level of service in any way?
Certainly. Having reached this milestone makes us aware – but at the same time it pushes the whole team to do even better.
How would you describe the current state of the Shanghai dining scene, and do you feel the Michelin list accurately reflects it?
Since the pandemic, the food scene in Shanghai has changed a lot; it has made the customer much more attentive to details and the whole experience.
I think Michelin has made it clear that by following traditional recipes and taking it a step further to reinterpret them in a modern way – like the way New Wave by Da Vittorio does it – this type of venue can become a gastronomic highlight in the city.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
Which other chefs in Shanghai do you rave about?
Shanghai is full of talented chefs, so it's really hard to admire just one.
I think we will definitely have many big surprises coming from the new, young talents who have more recently arrived in the city – people who will bring a breath of fresh air to the dining scene.
If you could cook one other cuisine, what would it be?
I love Indian cuisine because it’s full of aromas and spices that make you travel from north to south.
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
Image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio
Are you already gunning for star number two? If so, what’s next for you and the team at New Wave by Da Vittorio and beyond?
This result motivates us to do better and better, but with our feet firmly on the ground.
For us, the result is to make the customer happy and work well together as a team, so that is the key focus rather than aiming just for another start immediately.
Chef Francesco's father's Lobster Fettucini recipe
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Elevator pitch time – tell readers why they should eat at New Wave by Da Vittorio in just three sentences?
New Wave by Da Vittorio is a modern yet classic dining space that embodies a feeling of home. Here, diners can find the true Italian tastes of traditional cooking, yet elevated.
At New Wave, we are all about food cooked with love, attention to detail, and a sincere smile.
If you could share one piece of advice to other younger chefs in the industry, what would it be?
My advice to new chefs is to be hungry for knowledge and not to feel like they have arrived just by their first experience. Keep pushing.
Congratulations Chef Francesco and the entire New Wave by Da Vittorio team! We look forward to what the future holds for this all-star lineup!
New Wave by Da Vittorio, 3/F, UCCA Edge, Xizang Bei Lu, by Qufu Lu 西藏北路88号UCCAEdge三层.
[Cover image courtesy of New Wave by Da Vittorio]
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