← Gaetano SgroiMedia & Press · the archive
The archive.
“Recognition is never the goal.It is the result of years of dedication, consistencyand an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
A career of more than four decades leaves behind more than memories. It leaves evidence. Photographs. Newspaper articles. Awards. Letters. Menus. Events. People. Places. And moments that deserve to be preserved. This archive is a growing collection of material from my professional journey.
Ministero degli Affari Esteri·
Real Madrid C.F.·
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs·
Embassy of Italy, Kyiv
- PressArticles, interviews and media coverage
- Awards & RecognitionAwards, certificates and professional recognition
- PhotographsA visual record of the people, places and kitchens that shaped my career
- Special EventsDiplomatic occasions, international events, festivals and memorable culinary experiences
- Personal MemoriesThe photographs and documents that tell the story behind the career
2000 — 2005
Johannesburg.
Selected · national & international titles
BBC Good Food·
Condé Nast House & Garden·
Financial Mail·
WINE·
Food & Home·
Fairlady·
Longevity·
The Star·
The Citizen·
Business Day
Beograd.
Beijing.
2010 — 2013
Nairobi.
May 2018
Kyiv.
Summer 2018
Sicilia.
1993 — 2022
Documenti.
“L’alto livello delle Sue prestazioni professionali ha permesso di assicurare, nei momenti privati della visita in parola, la piena soddisfazione del Capo dello Stato e dei suoi stretti collaboratori.”The high level of your professional performance made it possible to ensure, in the private moments of the visit, the full satisfaction of the Head of State and his closest collaborators.
Ministro Plenipotenziario Romualdo Bettini · on the State Visit of the President of the Italian Republic to the People’s Republic of China, 7–13 June 1998
Real Madrid · Medical Services · a letter
“The quality of your restaurant matches, and often exceeds, the best I have known in capitals around the world.”
The team’s nutritionist · May 2018
Awards, memberships & accolades
2022
Sicilianità nel Mondo attraverso la Cultura Gastronomica Award
Città di Calatafimi Segesta, Italy
2018
Sicilia a Tavola nel Mondo Award · XXI Edition
Castelbuono, Italy
Premio Sherbeth · Festival Internazionale del Gelato Artigianale
Galleria delle Vittorie, Palermo, Italy
2004 — 2007
Mio Mediterraneo Award
Gibellina, Italy
Union Européenne des Gourmets Award · Life Honorary Member
Palermo, Italy
Premio Internazionale di Segesta
Teatro Segesta, Calatafimi-Segesta, Italy
2001 — 2003
Established Zafferano Restaurant as South Africa TOP 10 for 3 consecutive years.
Eat Out Top 10 Award 2001
Zafferano Restaurant, South Africa
Eat Out Top 10 Award 2002
Zafferano Restaurant, South Africa
Business Day Restaurant Award 2002
Zafferano Restaurant, South Africa
American Express Platinum Fine Dining Award 2003
Zafferano Restaurant, South Africa
South African Airways · Business Class Meal Award 2003
South Africa
1997 — 1999
Selected as personal Chef of Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, during official State visit to China during entire visit
Shangri-La, Beijing, China
Gastronomic festivals while in China
Italian Food Festival
Shangri-La Chang Chung, China
Italian Food Festival 1998
Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia
Italian Food Festival 1999
Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort, Penang, Malaysia
1993 — 1994
Founding Member · Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Turkey Chapter
Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
Member · Les Toques Blanches
Istanbul, Turkey
1989
Master Chef of the Year Competition · Runner-up
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Durban, South Africa
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Junior Chef of the Year, National Final · Runner-up
Johannesburg, South Africa
Regional Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Junior Chefs Competition · Winner
Durban, South Africa
1984
Junior European Gastronomic Competition · 3rd Place
Istituto Professionale Alberghiero, Erice, Italy