Aldo Zilli is an Italian-born celebrity chef and Restaurateur specialising in Italian cuisine.

Aldo Zilli is an Italian-born celebrity chef and Restaurateur specialising in Italian cuisine.

After graduating from catering college in Italy, Aldo worked in hotels throughout Europe. He moved to England at the age of 19 and decided to concentrate on his passion for Italian food. Working in Italian restaurants and introducing new cooking methods and eclectic menus, Aldo transformed these eateries from little-known venues to celebrity haunts.

Eventually, certain of his own success, Aldo decided to go it alone and acquired his first restaurant, Il Siciliano in Dean Street. Word quickly spread about the quality of food and wonderful atmosphere. In 1988, Aldo bought the premises at 41 Dean Street and opened Signor Zilli, following this in 1993 next door with London's first authentic Italian bar, Signor Zilli Bar.

Aldo opened Zilli Fish in Brewer Street in June 1997 and it has been bursting at the seams ever since. Great Italian food and Aldo's legendary sense of humour makes his establishments a magnet for people from the media and entertainment world. In 1996 he was awarded the Best Italian Restaurant Award in The London Restaurant Awards and, in 1998 he collected the award for Best Media Restaurant for Zilli Fish. He has also won Favourite Showbiz Restaurant for Signor Zilli in the Capital Radio Awards.

Aldo has a long running television career, having appeared on shows including, The Morning Show, Rise TV, GMTV, One Man and His Hob, Big Brother's Little Brother and even Celebrity Fit Club. He has featured in TV commercials for First Direct Bank and Orbit Sugar Free Gum.

He is a frequent contributor to National and Local radio on food and culinary issues and has been resident chef for The Sun newspaper. He has written books including: Sainsbury's Quick and Easy Italian Food; Aldo's Italian Food For Friends; Zilli Fish; Foolproof Italian; The Zilli Cook Book and Simple Italian Cookery.

Aldo's latest venture, The Zilli Cookery School launched in association with Magic of Italy, offers the chance to enjoy a unique cookery school and activity programme in the beautiful surroundings of Abruzzo in Italy.