Chef Ranza has run the Principe Leopoldo Restaurant – the jewel in Villa Principe Leopoldo’s crown – for as long as 26 years. His philosophy is direct and simple: every guest must be treated like a king. Awarded 17 points by the prestigious Gault Millau guide, the group executive chef of Ticino Hotels Group, Lugano, is once again a source of pride for the Restaurant, for Lugano and for the whole of Ticino. The awards ceremony was held on 5 October in Vitznau. On this occasion, chef Ranza – who is originally from Bergamo but a long-time resident of Ticino – confessed: “I’m thrilled, but very satisfied too, because this rewards the dedication and tenacity of my kitchen staff and the dining room and ancillary services personnel. This result is without doubt the work of a team”. With a light, creative hand, Ranza brings life to menus which embrace the full spectrum of Italian cuisine, with a nod to the speciality dishes of his native Bergamo as, for example, wonderful risottos with saffron and chanterelles or with pumpkin or with fried courgette flowers and taleggio cheese. Dario Ranza’s fame has spread beyond Switzerland for his focus on flavour and presentation, for his creativity and flair and the importance he gives to fresh, high-quality ingredients. Different,
innovative criteria, the same that underpin the guide that Times called The New Testament in 1973, when food critics Henri Gault and Christian Millau launched it to promote Paul Bocuse’s nouvelle cuisine. “This reward spurs us to consolidate our product,” says Dario Ranza. “People will expect more, there will be greater pressure, but we’re ready to deal with it. As for the Group, it indicates a path to follow while, however, maintaining independent, distinct visions and personalities to enrich and not condition the work of my younger colleagues”. Villa Principe Leopoldo (5 stars) Relais & Châteaux member, with a wonderful view of Lake Lugano and the mountains, it’s the only hotel in Ticino to be selected by the American Luxury Travel Network Virtuoso. Located in an elegant residential neighbourhood of Collina d’Oro in a period villa that conjures up images of aristocratic splendour of the time when it belonged to the Hohenzollerns. In addition to its fascinating history, the true catalyst is Dario Ranza and his long-time friends Claudio Recchia, the maître d’hotel; Gabriele Speziale, wine steward; and Mario Lanfranconi, chef barman. “The eyes bright with tears of my co-workers and brigade made me realise how important this feeling of belonging is to everyone”.
