Loyalty is a prized commodity among chefs, and Valentino Ugolini has earned his stripes over nearly 15 years to become one of Hong Kong-based Italian chef Umberto Bombanaโs most trusted lieutenants.
Ugolini, a native of the Umbria region in central Italy, has worked for Bombana since 2011, starting as a sous chef at three-Michelin-star 8 ยฝ Otto e Mezzo Bombana.
โHe teaches me a lot,โ Ugolini says of his boss, who is among Hong Kongโs most respected Italian chefs.
โHe has a lot of knowledge about food. He knows a lot about ingredients. For me, he really is a big mentor. We are also very similar in what and how we like to eat.โ
In addition to working at Hong Kongโs Otto e Mezzo, Ugolini played an important role in the opening of Bombanaโs outposts in Shanghai, Beijing and Macau over the years.