Umberto Bombana
Umberto Bombana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1963 Clusone, Bergamo, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Culinary expert, chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Co-proprietor of 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, "King of White Truffles", "Worldwide Ambassador of the White Truffle" |
Umberto Bombana (born 1963) is an Italian culinary expert and co-proprietor of the prestigious three-Michelin-starred establishment 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana. He has earned the title of "King of White Truffles" and was designated as the "Worldwide Ambassador of the White Truffle" by the Piedmontese Regional Enoteca Cavour.
Career
Originating from Clusone, Bergamo, Bombana drew inspiration from his grandmother's refined aristocratic cuisine. After completing his education at a hotel school, he honed his skills under chef Ezio Santin at Antica Osteria del Ponte.
In 1983, Bombana relocated to Los Angeles to collaborate with restaurateur Mauro Vincenti. During the 1990s, he arrived in Hong Kong to inaugurate Toscana at the Ritz-Carlton. When the Ritz-Carlton closed in 2008, he established 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in 2010, a name paying homage to Federico Fellini’s film.
In 2013, Bombana launched CIAK - In The Kitchen, an upscale trattoria situated in Hong Kong’s Landmark, followed by CIAK – All Day Italian located in Cityplaza. Both venues have been acknowledged within the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand category.
The Otto e Mezzo brand was further extended by Bombana with openings at The Galaxy Macau in 2015 (earning one Michelin star), Shanghai in 2016 (awarded two Michelin stars), and Opera Bombana in Beijing. In 2017, he was honored with The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award and introduced Octavium in Hong Kong as a culinary innovation space.
That same year, the Italian Consul General in Hong Kong bestowed upon him the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (OMRI).