Chef Francesco Torcasio at Chic Nonna Dubai

Welcome to a new episode of Behind the Pass, a series dedicated to discovering the people behind great hospitality. Beyond the recipes, beyond the restaurants, Behind the Pass explores the journeys, values and personalities that shape the culinary world.

This time, our journey takes us to Chic Nonna Dubai, one of the city's most celebrated Italian dining destinations. Elegant without being intimidating, contemporary while deeply respectful of tradition, Chic Nonna has become a benchmark for authentic Italian cuisine in Dubai.

Leading the kitchen is Chef Francesco Torcasio, whose story proves that passion, discipline and clear goals can transcend age. At just twenty-seven, Francesco is already guiding one of Dubai's most prestigious Italian kitchens while helping shape the future expansion of the Chic Nonna brand.

Calabria: Where Every Story Begins

Every chef has a place that quietly follows them throughout their career.

For Francesco, that place is Calabria, in southern Italy.

Growing up surrounded by fresh ingredients, family recipes and the vibrant flavours of southern Italian cuisine, cooking became part of everyday life long before it became a profession.

His path eventually led him through different restaurants and international experiences before arriving in Dubai, where he now serves as Head Chef at Chic Nonna.

Despite the distance from home, Calabria remains present in every decision he makes in the kitchen.

Simplicity Is Never Simple

When asked to describe his culinary philosophy, Francesco doesn't speak about trends, techniques or innovation.

Instead, he offers three words:

"Genuine. Simple. Precise."

They may sound straightforward, but behind them lies countless hours of refinement.

"I dedicate a lot of time to creating my dishes," he explains.

It's a reminder that simplicity is often the most demanding form of cooking. Removing the unnecessary leaves no room for mistakes. Every ingredient, every texture and every flavour must earn its place on the plate.

Chic Nonna: Tradition with a Contemporary Soul

Chic Nonna has built its identity around an idea that is increasingly rare: preserving Italian tradition while presenting it through a modern lens.

For Francesco, what makes the restaurant unique is the harmony between Italian heritage and contemporary elegance.

Guests are welcomed into an environment that feels refined but never distant. The atmosphere is sophisticated, yet warm enough to make every visitor feel immediately at home.

More importantly, every meal is designed as a journey across Italy.

From north to south, from familiar classics to regional specialties, each dish tells a story rooted in culture rather than fashion.

Respecting Tradition Abroad

Bringing Italian cuisine to a city as international as Dubai comes with responsibility.

For Francesco, authenticity doesn't mean refusing evolution.

It means respecting the product while understanding the expectations of an international audience.

Italian tradition remains the foundation, but every menu must also reflect the market in which it lives.

This balance between heritage and openness has become one of the defining characteristics of Chic Nonna.

The Ingredient Comes First

Throughout our conversation, one idea repeatedly surfaced: everything starts with the ingredient.

"The ingredient is the foundation of everything," Francesco explains. "It has to be fresh and truly special."

Among the products he relies on is Fassona beef from Longino & Cardenal, an ingredient he values not only for its exceptional quality but also for its ability to express authentic Italian flavour.

For Francesco, premium ingredients are not about luxury for its own sake. They are about respecting the work of producers and allowing guests to experience products exactly as they should be.

It is a philosophy shared by Longino & Cardenal, where the relationship between chefs and producers begins long before service starts.

The Dish That Represents Francesco

Asked to choose a dish that best represents his identity, Francesco doesn't hesitate.

His answer is Fregola with Red Prawns.

Simple ingredients. Bold flavours. Strong Italian identity.

It perfectly reflects his approach to cooking: elevating traditional products without overcomplicating them.

During our Behind the Pass cooking session, however, Francesco introduced another creation from the restaurant's summer menu: a delicate Yellowtail Carpaccio with salmon roe, citrus-marinated yellowtail, yuzu and grapefruit.

Fresh, vibrant and balanced, the dish captures exactly what contemporary Italian cuisine in Dubai can become when outstanding ingredients meet thoughtful execution.

Beyond the Kitchen

Away from the pass, Francesco is remarkably grounded.

When asked what excites him most each morning, his answer isn't awards or recognition.

It's arriving in the kitchen.

Meeting his team.

Receiving fresh products.

Building something together inside a company that continues to grow internationally.

His ambitions are equally clear.

"I have goals, and I have to achieve them."

Simple words that perhaps explain his journey better than any résumé ever could.

His favourite childhood memories also revolve around food, recalling afternoons spent cooking alongside his grandmothers. Those early moments remain a source of inspiration, reminding him that great cooking often begins with family rather than formal training.

Why This Story Matters

Chef Francesco Torcasio represents a new generation of Italian chefs who carry tradition with confidence rather than nostalgia.

His cuisine isn't about reinventing Italy. It's about understanding it deeply enough to present it in new contexts without losing its identity.

At Chic Nonna Dubai, every dish reflects that philosophy: respect for ingredients, precision in execution and genuine hospitality.

And perhaps that's what Behind the Pass is truly about.

Not simply discovering what chefs cook.

But understanding why they cook the way they do.

This is another story behind the pass.