Davide Oldani is an Italian chef and creator of POP cuisine, blending simplicity and refinement at his restaurant D’O, where everyday ingredients meet technique, balance, and tradition.
Perseverance, expertise, and passion have shaped the path of Davide Oldani, whose culinary career began under the mentorship of the legendary Gualtiero Marchesi. Though his work has taken him far beyond Italy’s borders, Oldani has always remained loyal to Cornaredo, the small town near Milan where it all started. In 2003, he opened D’O, a restaurant built on his signature POP philosophy—where simplicity meets sophistication.
The concept blends everyday ingredients with refined techniques, creating a cuisine that’s straightforward in presentation but rich in complexity behind the scenes. A promising footballer in his youth, Oldani changed course after a leg injury—a twist of fate that led him to the stove rather than the pitch. His formative years were spent in some of Europe’s top kitchens:
Le Gavroche in London with Albert Roux, Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV in Monaco, and Paris’s Fauchon under pastry maestro Pierre Hermé. Now relocated just steps from its original site, D’O enjoys acclaim for its elevated approach and environmental awareness. Overlooking the ancient church of San Pietro all’Olmo, it reflects Oldani’s values: balance, seasonality, and an enduring respect for tradition.