Italian chef Savino Divincenzo, originally from Barletta in the Puglia region, has built an extraordinary culinary career, rising from a dishwasher in a Dutch restaurant to becoming one of the most sought-after chefs in Corsica.
His name appeared in the description of a restaurant featured in the 2018 Michelin Guide, while the 2026 edition of Petit Futé, a well-known French travel and gastronomy guide, recommends the restaurant at Hotel A Pasturela, where he currently works.
Recognition from the Michelin Guide and Petit Futé
The 2018 Michelin Guide described the restaurant as a charming establishment located in the square of a beautiful hilltop village, offering Mediterranean cuisine enriched with Italian influences.
The property also features small, discreetly decorated rooms with modern interiors.
Michelin inspectors recognized the quality of its cuisine, awarding the restaurant the Michelin Plate distinction.
In its 2026 recommendation, Petit Futé praised the restaurant at Hotel A Pasturela in Monticello for its delicate and flavorful Mediterranean dishes prepared by chef Savino Divincenzo and served in generous portions in an elegant setting.
Among the highlighted specialties were fried octopus tentacles, Ajaccio sea bass fillet with vegetables, fresh pork sausage with leek cream and asparagus, and roasted lamb with herbs and mashed potatoes enriched with olive oil.
The review described the restaurant as an excellent culinary destination.
From a textile factory to a professional kitchen
Divincenzo left his hometown of Barletta at the age of 20 with a simple plan: to go somewhere new and find work.
He had no culinary qualifications and did not want to spend his entire life working in a textile factory.
After a chance internet search, he discovered a job advertisement for a dishwasher at a restaurant near Rotterdam. He applied and was hired.
It was there that he met Giuseppe, an Italian chef who ran the kitchen.
Recognizing Divincenzo’s dedication and strong work ethic, Giuseppe gradually entrusted him with more responsibilities, beginning with preparing meals for restaurant staff before introducing him to basic cooking techniques and more demanding kitchen duties.
That experience became the only culinary education Divincenzo ever received.
He learned everything through observation, repetition, practical experience and mistakes.
Between 2005 and 2007, Rotterdam was only the beginning of his international journey. He subsequently worked in Greece, Sweden, England, Tunisia and even Florida, learning new techniques and discovering different ingredients in every kitchen.
Corsica: The island that became his home
More than a decade ago, Divincenzo’s journey brought him to Corsica, an island whose cuisine retains strong Mediterranean and Italian influences despite being part of France.
He joined Hotel A Pasturela, where he established himself professionally and built a family, marrying and raising a daughter.
Among his signature dishes are ravioli, prepared with dozens of different fillings depending on the fresh ingredients available at local markets.
He is equally passionate about preparing fish, particularly carpaccio and tartare, insisting on fresh daily catches and ingredients sourced from local cheese producers and vegetable growers.
“Cooking is a passion for me. Either you love it or you don’t. Without love, you are simply preparing a meal,” he often says.
Victory in a French television cooking competition
Divincenzo’s dedication brought him wider recognition in 2018, when he won Manghjà Inseme, a culinary competition dedicated to Corsican gastronomy and broadcast on the French television channel France 3.
The self-taught chef, who had never attended culinary school, defeated competitors with formal culinary education and traditional professional training.
Following his victory, Divincenzo proudly spoke about his native Puglia and Barletta, which he continues to regard as the most beautiful place in the world despite spending many years away from Italy.
Italian Days at Don Sergio in Banja Luka
Food lovers in Banja Luka will soon have an opportunity to experience Divincenzo’s cuisine firsthand.
The Don Sergio restaurant at Delta Planet shopping center will host Italian Days at Don Sergio from October 30 to November 7, featuring the celebrated Italian chef as a special guest.
The event is designed as a gastronomic journey through Italy’s diverse culinary traditions, combining authentic recipes, carefully selected ingredients and contemporary interpretations of classic Italian dishes.
Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the philosophy behind Italian cooking, where simplicity, ingredient quality and respect for tradition form the foundation of every memorable meal.
Eight days of authentic Italian flavors
During the event, Don Sergio will transform into a small Italian culinary destination in the heart of Banja Luka.
The program is intended for everyone who appreciates good food and wants to explore Italian cuisine beyond its most familiar dishes.
With a renowned Italian chef, traditional Mediterranean flavors and a carefully designed culinary experience, the event promises a taste of Italy without leaving Banja Luka.
For eight days, Italy will not be a destination on the map, but an experience served on a plate.
Source: Atv
