IN THE FIRMAMENT OF ITALIAN GASTRONOMY, WHERE LOUD PERSONALITIES AND SPECTACULAR DISHES OFTEN SHINE, MICHELINO GIOIA STAND OUT FOR A SILENT AND PROFOUND ELEGANCE.
Leading the kitchen of the iconic Hotel Il Pellicano, on the’Argentario, The Campanian chef carries forward a vision based on respect, listening, and roots. Each dish is a measured gesture, each choice speaks of a connection to the region and the people who inhabit it. For the hotel's sixtieth anniversary, Gioia has created a narrative that spans memory, identity, and flavor, conveying to guests the authentic soul of a timeless place. In the world of Italian fine dining, where tradition and innovation often intertwine, Michelino Gioia is a rare figure: a chef who combines rigor and sensitivity, discretion and vision. At the helm of Pellicano's kitchen, Gioia carries out a daily mission: to express the region through his dishes, without sacrificing a personal, gentle, and recognizable voice.
Inside the hotel, it manages two restaurants — the fine dining Ristorante Il Pellicano and the more informal Pelligrill — in addition to the salad and snack corner and the breakfast offerings. "At Pelligrill we follow a more traditional approach, at Pellicano we can be more daring. The approach changes, not the quality," he explains.
«"Working at Pellicano is a daily thrill and a constant challenge. Guests come here from all over the world with extremely high expectations. You always have to be creative and attentive to detail.".
For Gioia, cuisine must surpass standards, offering something distinctive, and finding the balance between identity and innovation. Before arriving at Pellicano, she led the restaurant for over a decade. The Cesar (today Da Aurelio) of The Old Post Office Hotel, on the Lazio coast. "My style remains consistent, but each location requires a specific language. Here I draw inspiration from Tuscan tradition, while at Palo Laziale I spoke Lazio cuisine. The products and teams change, but the core remains seasonality, local tradition, and memory.".
Gioia has traveled extensively, working in Italy and abroad, absorbing diverse experiences. "Each region of the Bel Paese has its own gastronomic voice, each with a thousand nuances: it's a richness that makes us unique." In her dishes, Orbetello eel can meet soy, and childhood pasta becomes rice with sconcigli and fennel.
In 2007, he earned his first Michelin star. "With a star, you become more cautious, but the desire to create must not fade. If one day I were without it, I would change careers." For him, innovation comes from listening: to collaborators, guests, and suppliers. A great dish is always the result of dialogue. His team understands the«Executive Sous Chef Giuseppe Cavallaro, Pastry Chef Vito D'Anna, and Sous Chef Luigi Nunziata, manager of Pelligrill, ensuring quality and service. Thanks to this expertise, Gioia has been Group Executive Chef since 2025, coordinating the kitchens of all Pellicano Hotels.
One of the first things he did upon arrival was meeting local producers. "The territory isn't just a word on paper; it's relationships, trust, and exchange. The fisherman tells us what's good today, the farmer discovers wild herbs. They are the foundation of our work.".
This is why Gioia participates in "Il Dolce Far Bene," Pellicano Hotels' sustainability program, which promotes respect for the people they work with. Gioia avoids special effects: his dishes are simple and straightforward, wanting the flavor to strike the heart before the eyes. The dish that best represents him? "Scallops with pork crackers, potato mousse, green apple sauce, and red wine. Elegant yet decisive. Like me." The relationship with the staff is fundamental. CEO and Creative Director, Marie-Louise Sciò: «"He discusses every new idea with me, gives me space, and helps me improve. He has refined taste and a keen eye. The perfect blend.".
2025 marks the sixtieth anniversary of Il Pellicano. For the June celebrations, Gioia recreated the atmosphere of those golden years with a dinner inspired by the great classics and sumptuous buffets, taking care of every detail: oysters, prosciutto and melon, stuffed eggs, jellied peas, and generous desserts enchanted the guests.
Welcome drinks, created by the legendary bartender Federico Morosi, they were pink like the entrance mat and recalled the colours of the 80s, up to the maraschino cherry of the 70s.
In an era when haute cuisine risks being lost amidst excess and technicality, Michelino Gioia demonstrates that elegance, authenticity, and respect for tradition can still shine. His cuisine, crafted with attentiveness and care, blends with the timeless soul of Pellicano, offering guests not only excellent dishes, but also sensory and emotional experiences.
As the hotel celebrates its sixtieth anniversary, Gioia combines memory and innovation with rare grace.
