Known as “The King of White Truffles”, Chef Umberto Bombana is celebrated for his deep respect for honest cooking, exceptional produce and refined hospitality, while continually pushing Italian cuisine forward with creativity and elegance. Born in Bergamo in Northern Italy, he trained at the Centro di Formazione Alberghiera and apprenticed under Chef Ezio Santin, building a strong foundation in classical Italian cooking.

His career has taken him across the world, from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, where he established himself as one of the most influential ambassadors of Italian fine dining. In recognition of his dedication to Italian gastronomy, he was named Worldwide Ambassador of the White Truffle by the Piedmontese Regional Enoteca Cavour.

Chef Bombana oversees a collection of acclaimed restaurants across Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China and Bangkok through his Octavo Management Group, encompassing fine dining, wine-focused concepts and contemporary interpretations of Italian cuisine. Throughout his career, he has received numerous international honours, including lifetime achievement awards and Italy’s Order of Merit, recognising his lasting contribution to global gastronomy.