Naofumi Ito

 

Chef

 

Naofumi is passionate about good food and wine, and loves to create new dishes by matching various flavours and textures.

 

Naofumi started his career in Germany in 1995, working for Lufthansa Airlines' catering service.  Following that he worked at the Tokyo American Club and a five-star hotel in New Zealand, specialising in service of wine.

 

He moved to Italy in 2000 where he lived for four years learning the basics of Italian cooking.  During that time he gained experience working in well-known restaurants in Sicily, Siena and in the Grand Hotel, a five-star hotel in Florence.

 

Naofumi opened his own restaurant, Gusto e Vino in Akasaka, Tokyo in 2007.  For over six years he offered patrons a taste of his  gastronomy based on Italian cuisine. 

 

In 2003 he was chosen to be sous-chef for the Prada team competing in the America's Cup Challenge in New Zealand. He also travelled to France as a guest chef for the Mazda Team competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours 2009.

 

He has been catering since 2010 for special clients, and enjoyed it so much that he decided to move exclusively into catering.