Mauro PanebiancoCommunity profile

Chef Mauro Panebianco has been working in Moscow's restaurant scene for 15 years, since the very beginning of Cantinetta Antinori. In 2026, he became the head chef of Essenza by Mauro Panebianco.

Mauro Panebianco gained recognition while working in Milan, and subsequently collaborated with a Swiss hotel, opened a restaurant in Munich, and finally, received an invitation to work in Russia. This marked the beginning of a journey that has lasted a decade, but even during this time, Mauro has yet to reveal all the secrets of Italian cuisine to the guests of Cantinetta Antinori.

True to his motto of providing guests with only positive emotions, offering refined simplicity and flavor, he combines a passion for new experiences, a fresh perspective on seasonal ingredients, and a love for a cuisine that brings joy. And all of this, of course, with an Italian flair. Mauro: "I was born in Busto Arsizio, a city in northern Italy that serves as the gateway to the fashion capital, Milan. As a child, I spent a lot of time in my uncle's restaurant. I remember, at the age of five, helping to clear tables and approaching guests, offering them candies. Over the years, the world of restaurants captivated me more and more, so I chose to study culinary arts. I studied at the Hotel Institute in Stresa, one of the most renowned in Europe, and every summer I honed my skills as an assistant chef and pastry chef in various restaurants. I graduated from the institute with honors."

He is married, has two children, and enjoys traveling.