Italian restaurateur in Jersey receives top accolade

Italian restaurateur, Bruno Zunino (74), who has worked in Jersey’s restaurant and hotel industry for over 50 years, has been awarded the highest accolade by AMIRA (which translates as the Association of Italian restaurant and hotel Maitre D’Hotels) - Italy’s premium restaurant and hoteliers association.

Mr Zunino was certified as a ‘grand master restaurateur’ by the chairman of AMIRA’s grand masters, Valerio Beltrami from Milan, at a ceremony and celebratory lunch held at the Pomme D’or Hotel on 5th December 2010.
Mr Zunino, who has co-owned St Helier restaurant, La Taverne since 1976, said: ‘My philosophy towards the restaurant business has always focussed around traditional service and exacting standards. It’s great to see celebrity chefs getting people excited about food, but I also think that diners want to be “entertained” on a night out with the art of food preparation. So I am still a great believer in silver service and keeping table waiting skills alive. It is a great honour to be recognised by such a prestigious organisation as AMIRA.’

Mr Beltrami said: ‘The Italian community in Jersey has an impressive history of running great restaurants and producing first class restaurateurs since the 1950’s. I’m delighted that the principles of AMIRA are being carried forward by Bruno and that his passion for the restaurant business remains so strong when many by now would have taken their last customer order!’ (from ICFEED)