GIUESEPPE GENCO ( RIGHT)

Restaurants: Giuseppe, Pizza Republic Best Sellers: Wood Fire Oven Roasted Pizzas, Roast Chicken, Lamb Shank

Profile: It is Cebu’s laidback way of living that people from all over the world find so charming. One of the people captivated by this island’s lifestyle is Giuseppe Genco, owner and chef of Giuseppe, who now considers this city to be his home. His culinary journey has its roots in Italy, where he was born, raised, and learned how to cook. “I had to cook for my two younger brothers,” Genco says, “They didn’t die from my food, so I must have been all right,” he jokingly adds.

After working all over the world, he has finally settled in Cebu, and now imports most of the ingredients he uses at Giuseppe’s different branches, giving his customers an authentic Italian dining experience. He is currently busy with his latest project, Pizza Republic, where the diners get to customize their own pizzas. Aimed towards Cebu’s younger crowd, it offers an atmosphere that is more casual, but still gastronomically Italian.