The Reverie Saigon, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, has appointed Marcelo Geraldini as its new executive chef, a move that’s set to bolster the landmark five-star hotel’s emergence as a world-class dining destination.
The Brazilian-born chef oversees one of Vietnam’s most dynamic hotel culinary programs, including the recently launched Italian fine dining restaurant Da Vittorio Saigon. The family-run Da Vittorio group based in Italy boasts eight Michelin stars globally across four other restaurants in Brusaporto (Italy), St. Moritz (Switzerland), Paris (France) and Shanghai (China).
Geraldini, whose background includes Italian and German roots, is a graduate of Westminster Kingsway College, one of the U.K.’s most renowned and prestigious hospitality schools. He later gained experience in the one-Michelin-star restaurant, The Hardwood Arms in London, and other highly respected restaurants in England, as well as in his hometown of Sao Paulo.
The chef arrived in Vietnam in 2016 and played an active role in several restaurant pre-openings and renovation projects for WMC Group, the management company of The Reverie Saigon. Geraldini joined The Reverie Saigon as executive sous chef in 2017.
“Perhaps more than anything else, Chef Marcelo brings a unique passion to our culinary operation at The Reverie Saigon. His love and appreciation for fine cuisine is strongly complemented by his warm, personalized service approach and overall commitment to excellence,” said James Young, Vice President of WMC Group.
Geraldini says he takes a hands-on approach to managing the hotel’s multiple kitchens, beginning with sourcing the highest-quality, freshest ingredients all the way to preparation, cooking and serving the final dish to guests.
“To create a dining experience that is above and beyond a guest’s expectations—that is what I consistently strive for,” Geraldini said.
The Reverie Saigon is home to a number of acclaimed culinary outlets, including The Royal Pavilion (celebrated for its Chinese dim sum), Café Cardinal (one of Southeast Asia’s most distinctive all-day dining venues, with French influences), The Long @ Times Square (a casual sidewalk-style trattoria) and The Reverie Boutique (sweets, treats, coffee and more).
