At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, the resort has welcomed celebrated Italian chef Francesca Gambacorta as part of its ongoing Chef Residency series, marking a new phase for Milano, its signature Italian restaurant. The residency introduced an immersive, kitchen-focused experience that combined authentic Italian culinary methods with a relaxed island setting, placing mentorship and craftsmanship at the centre of the dining experience.
Chef Francesca is recognised for her emotionally driven approach to contemporary Italian cuisine, rooted in the belief that food should express place, memory and feeling. She has built a global following of more than 700,000 on Instagram, was named among Italy’s Top 20 Food Influencers by Forbes Italia in 2021, and is the author of Semplicità Complessa — Il gourmet per tutti. Her philosophy of thoughtful simplicity aligned naturally with the atmosphere and lifestyle of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
Throughout the residency, the Milano kitchen served as a space for creativity and collaboration. Chef Francesca worked closely with the culinary team through hands-on training, live cooking demonstrations and real-time mentoring during service. From patiently crafted fresh pasta to sauces informed by regional identity, the emphasis remained consistent: simplify, respect ingredients and allow flavour to take the lead.
The guidance extended beyond technical skills. Team members were encouraged to approach cooking with intention, treating each dish as a narrative shaped by balance, timing and emotion as much as by technique. This perspective has since influenced Milano’s menu, informing preparation methods, presentation and service style.
Guests witnessed this transformation on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, when Chef Francesca led the kitchen as the featured chef for the evening. The experience combined celebration with live instruction, bringing her culinary approach directly into the flow of service.
Today, Milano presents a more assured and expressive identity that remains distinctly Italian. Handcrafted pastas, carefully balanced sauces and familiar classics are delivered with relaxed authenticity, grounded in tradition, refined through mentorship and finished with an island influence.
Guests are invited to experience Milano as part of Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s broader culinary offering, where dining unfolds at an unhurried pace and each meal forms part of the overall holiday experience. Highlights from Chef Francesca’s residency can be viewed on the resort’s Instagram page. To book a stay and explore the resort’s dining options, visit the Sun Siyam Olhuveli website.
