21 April 2022
Damiano Nigro’s restaurant has been awarded by the prestigious Red Guide
A star shines upon Damiano Nigro once again, illuminating Michele Chiarlo’s Relais Palás Cerequio for the very first time.
The 2022 Michelin Guide was presented in Franciacorta last 23 November and the coveted star was awarded to the restaurant from La Morra. This important recognition rewards the commitment and dedication of Damiano Nigro and his team: the symbol of high-quality fine dining that is ready to serve visitors from all over the world.
«We wanted to create a welcoming place where guests can truly feel at home» says Damiano Nigro, head of Palás Cerequio’s kitchens since spring 2021 together with his partner Elena Boffa and sous-chef Marco Angeloni.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING
Born in 1973 and hailing from Brindisi, Damiano Nigro began his culinary journey in Courmayeur. He entered the world of haute cuisine through Alfredo Chiocchetti in Modena, and then worked for Gualtiero Marchesi in Milan and Erbusco. He also worked overseas, honing his craft in London with Marco Pierre White, before moving to France and learn from masters Alain Ducasse and Alain Solivérès. When he returned to Italy, he worked with Enrico Crippa at Piazza Duomo. In 2021, he left Villa D’Amelia, where he stayed for over 15 years and received his first Michelin star. He finally arrived at Palás Cerequio, a relais that Michele Chiarlo built by renovating the ancient hamlet of Cerequio: a true temple of luxury and wine, immersed in the vineyards of the homonymous cru of La Morra.
DAMIANO NIGRO'S CUISINE
Damiano Nigro’s cuisine is capable of changing, in a slow and steady manner, according to contemporary tastes and necessities. It does not strain or force anything, nor does it come with unexpected changes. He defines it as an “evolutionary cuisine” founded on three pillars: quality ingredients, seasonality and avoiding waste.
«We are honored to have a high-level restaurant within the walls of Palás Cerequio – says Alberto Chiarlo, who manages the Michele Chiarlo winery together with his brother Stefano and their father Michele, the winery’s founder – even more so, given the mutual trust and great harmony between the cellar and the kitchen».
THE TEMPLE OF BAROLO
Palás Cerequio was built in 2011 following the renovation of an 18th-century noble palace located in the heart of the most prestigious vineyards of the Barolo denomination: the Cerequio MGA. Thanks to the visionary Chiarlo family, Palás has become a true “temple of Barolo” where everything is about the «King of wines». The Caveau contains over 6,000 bottles from 1958 until present: an impressive wine collection that represents the most prestigious Barolo crus and the most famous producers. Guests can have a taste of this remarkable wine heritage through customized and exclusive tasting experiences.
