Nino Rossi, born 1981, is an Italian chef whose professional path is as unconventional as it is compelling. Raised in Calabria in a family deeply connected to food and wine, he did not follow the traditional culinary school route. Instead, his first experiences came through managing banquets and events at his family villa in Santa Cristina d’Aspromonte, where working behind the stove sparked his decision to become a self-taught chef through daily practice, study and formative experiences alongside leading culinary figures.

In 2016, Rossi opened Qafiz, his restaurant on the family estate in the heart of the Aspromonte. Named after an ancient Arabic unit of measurement for oil, Qafiz reflects his philosophy: a cuisine rooted in territory, foraging and wild local ingredients, combining rigorous technique with creative expression to tell the story of Calabria.

Over the years, Rossi’s work has earned prestigious national and international accolades, including high ratings from leading Italian guides and recognition from global culinary organisations. Alongside Qafiz, he has developed projects such as a territorial cocktail bar, the Pig Calabria event and the fire-focused concept Ilici. Today, Nino Rossi is regarded as a key voice in the renaissance of Southern Italian fine dining, celebrated for a cuisine that is deeply local yet internationally resonant.