i. Biography
The Climb
At Ristorante Lino in Pavia, the early work was about building muscle memory: station discipline, pacing, and the habits that turn a young chef into a reliable one. Federico Sgorbini’s time there as chef sits at the start of that progression, where technique and kitchen rhythm were formed in a setting that grounded his next move. In 2024, that groundwork carried into DAMA, where he became executive chef and took on the wider responsibility of running the kitchen.
Today
Since 2024, executive chef at Dama in Cervesina has been the role that defines Federico Sgorbini’s present practice. The title signals more than service execution; it places him in charge of direction, standards, and the daily discipline of the kitchen. Dama in Cervesina is where that shift becomes visible, with earlier experience translated into leadership. The clearest statement of this period is *Cogli l’Oltre*, the five-course tasting menu presented at the restaurant in 2024. Its frame of tradition and innovation is explicit, and the structure is tight enough to show control without overstatement. For Federico Sgorbini, the menu marks the point where the executive role and the kitchen’s identity meet: five courses, a stated brief, and a working balance between inherited forms and forward motion.
Signature
Four Cheese Risotto, Cogli l’Oltre, and Come un cantuccio show three different ways Federico Sgorbini frames his cooking. One leans into familiar comfort, another carries a more defined programmatic intent, and the third suggests a quieter, more interpretive register. Read together, they outline a kitchen that can move between recognition, structure, and nuance without changing course.
Recognition
Michelin Guide star (2022) remains the clearest public marker attached to Federico Sgorbini’s work. It places formal recognition before the 2024 move into the executive chef role at DAMA and gives context to the standing he brought into Dama in Cervesina.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Federico
What is Federico Sgorbini's current role?
As of 2026, Federico Sgorbini is Executive Chef.
Where did Federico Sgorbini work before?
Federico Sgorbini's earlier career included Ristorante Lino.
What recognition has Federico Sgorbini received?
Michelin Guide star (2022).
