Owner of Wales’ longest established Italian restaurant shares his journey
GIOVANNI Malacrino, owner of the Cardiff restaurant franchise Giovanni’s, claims to have been on more than 200 television shows and met dozens of celebrities.
His restaurants are decorated with photographs capturing the best moments of Giovanni’s 39-year history. This includes snapshots of Mr Malacrino with icons such as Princess Diana, George Best and Luciano Pavarotti, who all ate at his restaurants.
Mr Malacrino said: “The first celebrity to come here was Shirley Bassey, then I was introduced to Tom Jones, Audrey Hepburn and others. Every picture can tell a story. Princess Diana was wonderful too. She had the most wonderful humour and it devastated me when she passed away.”
The franchise owner is also known for his recent appearances in the hit Channel 4 shows Come Dine with Me and First Dates.
In the restaurant’s earlier days, Mr Malacrino and his staff appeared on other programmes such as The National Lottery and You Bet!
For You Bet! he and his staff set out a banquet for 50 people in under four minutes.
Mr Malacrino is proud to show that his restaurant has been on TV after coming from humble beginnings.
He said: “My father came to Cardiff from Calabria in Italy with £10 in his pocket and a suitcase. We stayed in Italy. My dad worked hard and bought a house in Grangetown on £12 a week. I moved here when I was three.
“When I grew up, I started out really selling ice creams for six months. When I bought Giovanni’s, I used to cook off a four-burner domestic cooker like you would have at home. All I had was that, a microwave, a grill to cook pizzas on and a very small hot plate.
“I feel very humble. Giovanni’s restaurants are here to fill your belly with wonderful food, make you smile and remember us forever.”
Painting by Neil Morris
