400 Gradi launches its handcrafted Italian cuisine in the Middle East Bahrain, 28 November 2017: Award-winning Australian chef Johnny Di Francesco has debuted his 400 Gradi Italian restaurant brand in the Middle East with the opening of the first restaurant at The Avenues Bahrain, in partnership with international retail franchise operator M.H. Alshaya Co.
The opening of the first 400 Gradi restaurant outside Australia was celebrated by Mr. Domenico Bellato, Italy’s Ambassador to Bahrain; Ian Toal, the President of Alshaya’s Food Division; Nigel Doughty, the Vice President of Food Retail at Alshaya; and chef Di Francesco, the founder of 400 Gradi.
400 Gradi is a Naples-inspired Italian restaurant that was created by chef Di Francesco, the first Australian ever trained in Naples to the Associazione Verace (AVPN) and President of AVPN Australia. It offers a wide variety of deliciously handcrafted Italian cuisine, using the finest Italian ingredients to give guests the most complete Neapolitan experience outside of Naples.
In 2014, chef Di Francesco was named the ‘world’s best pizza maker’ during the World Championships in Italy for his authentic Napoletana-style pizza, which is cooked for only 90 seconds at a temperature of 400 degrees – hence the name 400 Gradi.
Along with this Napoletana-style pizza, the restaurant offers an array of freshly cooked traditional Italian dishes, including its famous handmade gnocchi, succulent lamb and pistachio cutlets, traditional artisan Italian gelato and delicious desserts.
Commenting on the new partnership, chef Di Francesco said:
“This is a groundbreaking milestone for the Gradi Group. Expanding to the Middle East is an exciting step forward, especially with Alshaya, who are a pioneer in franchising international brands. We are delighted with this partnership and we look forward welcoming guests to enjoy the ultimate Italian dining experience.”
400 Gradi plans to expand to Kuwait, Dubai and other strategic locations in the GCC.