Massimiliano Alajmo
Massimiliano Alajmo | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 6, 1974 Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, Culinary expert |
| Known for | Youngest chef to be awarded three Michelin stars at age 28 |
Massimiliano Alajmo (born 6 May 1974) is an Italian culinary expert who, at the age of 28 in 2002, became the youngest individual ever awarded three Michelin stars.
Biography
Massimiliano, often called Max, is part of the fifth generation in the Alajmo lineage, a family with a long history in the culinary and restaurant business.
Following his education in hotel management, Max honed his skills under renowned chefs such as Alfredo Chiocchetti at Ja Navalge, Marc Veyrat at Auberge de l’Eridan, and Michel Guérard at Les Près d’Eugenie.
In 1993, he began working at Le Calandre located in Sarmeola di Rubano (Padua) alongside his mother, Rita Chimetto, who had secured the restaurant’s initial Michelin star in 1992. Max took on the role of executive chef in 1994; under his leadership, Le Calandre achieved its second Michelin star in 1997 and its third in 2002, making him the youngest chef to reach this milestone.
In 2006, the Alajmo siblings self-published the cookbook “In.gredienti,” which was honored as Best Cookbook Worldwide at the 2007 Gourmand International World Cookbook Awards. The following year, Max partnered with perfumer Lorenzo Dante Ferro to create Le Essenze, a collection of essential oil sprays designed to elevate the dining atmosphere.
The brothers undertook a renovation of Le Calandre’s dining area in 2010, integrating Max’s culinary vision into the interior design. This initiative gave rise to Alajmo Design, a brand specializing in custom-made glassware, table settings, and cutlery produced by skilled Italian craftsmen.
In January 2011, the family expanded their portfolio by acquiring Gran Caffè & Ristorante Quadri located in Venice’s St. Mark's Square and subsequently Caffè Stern in Paris.
Since 2013, Max has been a board member and instructor at Master della Cucina Italiana, an institution dedicated to advanced culinary education that extends beyond traditional cooking techniques.
Currently, Max manages Le Calandre and supervises operations at Quadri, La Montecchia, as well as bistros including Il Calandrino, abc Quadri, and abc Montecchia. Additionally, he actively participates in Il Gusto per la Ricerca, a nonprofit organization established by the brothers in 2004 to support research into childhood diseases.
In June 2020, Max joined a coalition of chefs, architects, Nobel Prize recipients, and global leaders endorsing the International Appeal advocating for the purple economy aimed at fostering a cultural and economic revival.
Notes
- Why This Man is My Favorite Chef in Italy, The Atlantic, 2009-05-01
- Von Bremzen, Anya (2010–12) "Italy's Three-Star Boy Genius," Food & Wine
- Alajmo S.p.A. (2013) www.alajmo.it