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This charismatic Scots-born Italian is the man behind Bella Napoli.

 

But there is far much more to this man than an award-winning restaurant.

 

 

The 45-year-old was born in the east end of Glasgow. At that time, his Italian-born father Alfredo ran a successful cafe, which gave a young Domenico his early introduction to catering.

Domenico, a graduate of the Scottish Hotel School, admits: I always aspired to do something in catering, running a restaurant is what I have always wanted to do. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't have gone into this industry.

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After a stint working with his father, Domenico launched his first pizzeria, Dominos (and later Dom's Place for 'legal' reasons!!) in Cardonald, before founding Italmania 15 years ago.

When it first opened in Giffnock, on Glasgow's south side, Italmania became Scotland's very first designer pizza shop, complete with marble and brass furnishings and serving top quality pizzas to take-away.

A city centre branch followed before Domenico took over the ownership of the hugely-successful Bella Napoli in Shawlands in 2005.

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In fact, so well-respected in Italian circles worldwide is Domenico that he is now invited to judge cookery contests across the globe.

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In 2008, he was the only non-American judge at the International Pizza Challenge.

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The previous year, he was a UK judge at the 1st Olimpiade della Pizza (or Pizza Olympics) in Italy and again in 2008 judging at the Italian World Championships in Italy. His love of Scottish produce allowed him to be Master of Ceremonies at Scotland's annual Food Fest two years running.

But perhaps Domenico is most famous for his world-record breaking pizzas.
 

The experienced pizza chef-turned-restaurateur says: I don't like being typecast as a pizza chef but I happen to be very good at making pizza and it's my favourite food.

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Since then he has turned this establishment into the number one Italian restaurant in the UK, according to the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association.

As the proud father-of-two, who is dad to Cristina, 22, and 17-year-old Alfredo, puts it running a restaurant is not simply a career, it's a lifestyle, it's my life. He even jokes that it is part of his DNA! He adds: I enjoy the job, I love the job, I think it brings out the best in my personality.

It's clear from his impressive CV that Domenico lives and breathes Italian cuisine - and luckily so does wife Genny, who helps run Bella Napoli!

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