Innovation, passion, heritage: How the Gucci Osteria in Florence won its first Michelin star
Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri and chef Massimo Bottura’s shared ideal to fuse innovation, passion and heritage across their industries pays off as Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura wins its first star in the Italian Michelin Guide
Fashion brand Gucci is known for its clothing and accessories, but its hometown, Florence, has been a cultural tastemaker for six centuries. When Gucci opened the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura inside the Gucci Garden two years ago, it was a tip of the hat to the house’s historic birthplace, and a demonstration of the label’s commitment to creativity across disciplines.
It was also the realisation of childhood friends Marco Bizzarri – Gucci’s CEO – and Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura’s shared ideal of fusing innovation, passion and heritage in their industries. And it paid off: the Osteria just won its first Michelin star in the 2020 Italian Michelin Guide.
Located on the Piazza della Signoria inside the 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia and designed by Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele, Bottura and his chef de cuisine, Karime López, won the Osteria’s star for consistently challenging the concept and perception of what makes traditional Italian cuisine.
The palazzo also features curated exhibitions marrying items from the Gucci archive with modern art, retailing and a cinema for an interactive experience – and now one of Italy’s premier dining destinations.