Because the visionary hotelier behind profitable market and model positioning of some 5-stars resorts in Kuala Lumpur. Cristian Nannucci has redefined what it means to mix sustainability with luxurious. With a long time of expertise within the hospitality trade throughout Asia, the Center East and Europe hotelier Cristian Nannucci’s tenure in Malaysia stands out as a career-defining chapter. From efficiently opening two five-star resorts throughout a worldwide pandemic to witnessing Kuala Lumpur’s transformation right into a vibrant culinary hub, his story is a testomony to resilience, cultural immersion, and an unwavering ardour for hospitality.
On this unique interview, Nannucci shares his most memorable moments, insights into the Malaysian meals and beverage (F&B) panorama, and his ardour for wine and advantageous eating. As Founders of Join PRKL, KL’s Premium Way of life Administration and PR Consulting agency, Cristian and his spouse Debbie have set the mission to create bespoke way of life experiences along with consultancy works for hospitality companies to assist their development.
You could have in depth expertise as a hotelier in Asia, particularly in Malaysia. What have been your most memorable experiences within the nation?
One in every of my most memorable experiences in Kuala Lumpur was to efficiently open two 5-star resorts in 2022, with a splendid and dependable crew. It was merely superb how this challenge embraced the eye of the local people as we opened the doorways two months after the Worldwide Borders allowed journey once more throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement was a testomony to the arduous work and dedication of the crew and showcased the energy of collaboration and innovation throughout the Malaysian hospitality trade.
I’m ever so grateful for the chance to work in Malaysia, it’s a memorable section in my life and deeply linked to my skilled development. I’ve had the privilege of working with extremely proficient and various groups, studying from their distinctive views and cultural insights. The dynamic hospitality panorama in Malaysia, with its fixed evolution and deal with innovation, has offered a difficult and rewarding atmosphere to hone my expertise and contribute to the trade’s success.
Past the skilled achievements, the cultural immersion has been actually unforgettable. Experiencing the colourful Malaysian tradition, from the varied culinary scene to the wealthy traditions and festivals, has enriched my life in numerous methods. Constructing significant relationships with colleagues, resort visitors and buddies from completely different backgrounds has been a spotlight, fostering a deep appreciation for the nation’s distinctive mix of cultures.
And naturally, that is the place I met Debbie, my spouse and the love of my life! I’ll at all times be grateful to Malaysia for being the place the place now we have met.
As a connoisseur of advantageous eating and distinctive wines in Kuala Lumpur, how would you describe the evolution of the F&B scene within the Malaysian capital over the previous decade?
Kuala Lumpur’s F&B scene has exploded over the previous decade, changing into extremely various and dynamic. Now we have seen a surge in impartial cafes, modern eating places, and complicated bars. The main target has shifted in direction of distinctive eating experiences, with cooks incorporating world influences and showcasing native elements.
The arrival of The Michelin Star Awarded eating places in Kuala Lumpur has undoubtedly elevated the town’s F&B scene. The pursuit of Michelin recognition has pushed many eating places to try for larger requirements of culinary excellence, service, and general eating expertise. The arrival of the Michelin Stars Award has put Kuala Lumpur on the worldwide culinary map, attracting meals lovers and vacationers from world wide. Moreover, the presence of Michelin-starred institutions has inspired the event of a extra refined and expert culinary workforce. Cooks are continuously pushing boundaries to create modern and distinctive dishes that meet the excessive expectations set by Michelin requirements.
Whereas the Michelin Information has undoubtedly had a constructive affect, it’s necessary to do not forget that Kuala Lumpur’s F&B scene was thriving even earlier than the arrival of the Michelin stars. Town gives a various vary of eating experiences, from road meals stalls to upscale eating places, catering to a variety of tastes and budgets.
For wine lovers, Kuala Lumpur has turn out to be a vacation spot in its personal proper. Town boasts a rising variety of wine bars and eating places with spectacular picks, providing every little thing from traditional Outdated World wines to thrilling “New World” discoveries.
The progressive development within the final decade has additionally contributed to a rising center class with disposable earnings, which has fueled demand for high-quality eating experiences. The facility of social media influencers utilizing platforms like Instagram and Fb has amplified the attain of F&B companies, encouraging exploration and creating tendencies. The federal government has supported the F&B scene with initiatives selling tourism and culinary arts, which have fostered a thriving F&B ecosystem.
Kuala Lumpur has actually come into its personal as a worldwide culinary hub, providing a vibrant and ever-evolving scene for each locals and guests. For me, this has been extraordinarily inspiring when designing F&B ideas in hospitality.
What are your favorite wine lounges and cocktails bars in Kuala Lumpur?
Debbie and I’ve just a few in my listing that I’ve visited, nevertheless, that is only a small choice, and Kuala Lumpur has many different glorious wine lounges and cocktail bars to discover. I at all times suggest checking on-line evaluations and making reservations upfront, particularly if you happen to’re planning to go to throughout peak hours.
“Vintry” wine bar is a traditional selection with an in depth wine listing, excellent for each informal and critical wine lovers. They provide a variety of wines by the glass and bottle, together with scrumptious meals pairings.
“Wine Knot” gives a relaxed environment with a wide selection of wines and lightweight bites. I like their inside design and the general coziness of the ambiance, which could be very a lot wine cellar-inspired.
Being a wine fanatic, we take pleasure in these locations the place we are able to choose the wines from the cellar and luxuriate in them straight there. It makes the expertise fascinating and rewarding when you realize it pairs effectively with the meals you’ve ordered.
For cocktail bars, I might say “Penrose”, largely recognized for its modern and inventive cocktails. It’s a fashionable spot for these searching for a classy and trendy bar expertise.
Coley is a speakeasy-style bar providing a refined and intimate setting with expertly crafted cocktails.
What are your favorite eating places in Kuala Lumpur?
As talked about earlier Kuala Lumpur gives such a various culinary scene, that it’s arduous to decide on just some favorites. However a few of my go-to spots embrace:
DC By Darren Chin — 1-Star Michelin Restaurant — has been a well-established advantageous eating restaurant for the previous 10 years and is well-known for his unimaginable expression of contemporary eating.
Sassorosso and Osteria Gamberoni, are two of my favourite Italian Eating places. Being Italian myself I get requested a number of occasions for a advice for my greatest Italian restaurant. One can find a pleasant atmosphere, an excellent wine listing, and particularly a wonderful gastronomic delicacies.
De Wan by Chef Wan, for authentic and “Kampung” fashion Malay Delicacies recipe. Chef Wan’s experience and creativity have been invested just a few years in the past into De Wan they usually have opened just a few eating places and cafés. The inside design is totally steeped in native custom and elegance. The presence of a number of personal rooms provides that “home-y” feeling and exclusiveness.
For Chinese language delicacies, I might say Abroad KL in Jalan Imbi. The well-established restaurant, is a must-stop for vacationers searching for conventional Cantonese delicacies and the must-try dishes they’re well-known for.
For Indian meals, I’ve to say Thyme at PARKROYAL COLLECTION. After we opened the resort, we put a number of deal with delivering authentic recipes from Southeast India, with a chef from Kerala and the unique Tandoori ovens are merely superb.
As somebody who enjoys personal dinners and distinctive wine explorations, what rising tendencies do you see shaping the world of wine consumption?
I see a rising development in direction of experiential wine consumption. Persons are much less enthusiastic about merely ingesting wine and are extra within the story behind it. This interprets to elevated demand for:
Non-public wine tastings and dinners — like those I take pleasure in, supply a extra intimate and personalised expertise.
Demand for wine tourism and journey to probably the most infamous locations similar to Italy, France, and Australia — visiting vineyards, assembly winemakers, and immersing oneself within the winemaking course of. When you perceive the story you should have a better appreciation for what you drink and be extra selective following your palate.
Distinctive wine pairings — exploring artistic and sudden meals and wine mixtures. Be daring particularly with spicy cuisines or fusion recipes.
Sustainability is changing into more and more necessary to wine shoppers. We’re seeing an increase in demand for natural and biodynamic wines produced with minimal environmental affect.
Shoppers are additionally changing into extra adventurous of their wine decisions. We’re seeing a shift away from well-known manufacturers in direction of boutique, much less commercialised and uncommon grape varieties — exploring the range of the wine world.
Pure wines are made with minimal intervention, providing distinctive and typically sudden flavours. This could possibly be a brand new development for the youthful generations with infused flavors making them refreshing and good worth.
Our personal ardour for personal dinners and distinctive wine exploration aligns completely with these tendencies. I imagine that these personalised experiences, coupled with a deal with sustainability and discovery, will proceed to form the way forward for wine consumption.
As somebody introducing lots of your Malaysian buddies to the range of Italian wines, what suggestions would you give to younger wine lovers exploring Italy’s choices?
As a proud consultant of Italian wines, I imagine Italy’s unimaginable range makes it an thrilling vacation spot for younger wine lovers to discover. From gentle and refreshing whites to daring and sophisticated reds, there’s one thing for everybody.
For these simply starting their journey, I’d suggest beginning with approachable and refreshing choices like:
Prosecco: A glowing wine that’s excellent for celebrations and aperitifs, gentle and bubbly.
Pinot Grigio: A flexible white wine that pairs splendidly with dishes like seafood and pasta.
Lambrusco: Usually misunderstood, this glowing pink wine is now crafted in trendy types which might be gentle, fruity, and excellent for informal gatherings.
Franciacorta glowing wines are Italy’s reply to Champagne, produced within the Lombardy Area utilizing the standard “Basic Technique”. They’re well-known for his or her class, complexity and refined bubbles.
From there, I’d recommend exploring elegant entry-level reds similar to Chianti from Tuscany, Barbera d’Alba from Piemonte, and Valpolicella from Veneto.
As soon as conversant in these classics, I encourage younger wine lovers to enterprise into lesser-known areas and grape varieties. Sicilian wines, for instance, supply distinctive worth and distinctive flavours. Etna wines, particularly, stand out for being fruity, elegant, and lightweight – a wonderful selection for these searching for one thing completely different.
I additionally suggest visiting wine bars and tasting rooms, the place you’ll be able to pattern quite a lot of wines and study from educated sommeliers. Internet hosting casual wine tastings with family and friends is one other nice option to share bottles, talk about discoveries, and improve the general enjoyment of wine. It’s the social facet of wine that creates unforgettable experiences and lasting recollections.
I anticipate extra frequent travels to Italy and recommend incorporating winery visits and leisurely lunches at native wine bars into the itineraries. Many of those institutions function complete wine lists and supply alternatives to style wines which might be hardly ever exported, offering a novel and genuine expertise.
Sharing my ardour for Italian wines with buddies has been deeply rewarding. By showcasing their range, approachability, and social enjoyment, I hope to encourage younger wine lovers to delve into the wealthy world of Italian viticulture.
Relating to French wines, do you end up drawn extra to the daring class of Bordeaux or the refined complexity of Burgundy?
Ah, a traditional wine fanatic’s dilemma!
It’s troublesome to decide on between Bordeaux and Burgundy! Each areas produce world-class wines with distinctive traits. I deeply admire the facility and construction of Bordeaux blends, whereas I’m captivated by the class and terroir expression of Burgundy. Finally, it is dependent upon the event and my temper. Generally I crave the boldness of a Bordeaux, whereas different occasions I’m drawn to the subtlety of a Burgundy.
On one facet I’m significantly keen on the wines of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux for instance, and on the opposite facet I’m fascinated by the Grand Crus of Côte de Nuits.
My experience in wine pairing has been enriched by Malaysia’s various culinary scene, which gives a variety of flavours and textures. Every pairing requires cautious analysis and experimentation to make sure that the wine enhances the meals, whether or not it’s daring and spicy or gentle and delicate. The purpose is at all times to strike a steadiness in order that neither the meals nor the wine overpowers the palate.
My hidden expertise for cooking, mixed with my ardour for Italian gastronomy, is really unmatched. I’ve already conceptualised my very own F&B enterprise and am at present trying to find the right location.
Lately, Debbie and I had the pleasure of internet hosting a home-cooking and gastronomic session that includes Château Troplong Mondot, offered by their model ambassador, Thibault Odent. It was each an honour and a novel alternative to craft dishes that complemented such a prestigious Bordeaux property. Now, it appears inevitable that I’ll must organise an identical session that includes Burgundy wines—although I’ve already hosted a lot with Italian wines, after all!
Relating to French wines, do you end up drawn extra to the daring class of Bordeaux or the refined complexity of Burgundy?
The main target for 2025 will likely be to focus extra on bespoke experiences, similar to vertical or horizontal wine pairing dinners, classic wine tastings, and extra producers’ data sharing.
We additionally have to be extra lively on what’s upcoming in Kuala Lumpur and join forward of time with key gamers to plan unique launch occasions.
Any wine-related journeys deliberate?
We’re at present planning a visit to Italy for the top of March. We want to go to cities like Milan, Alba, Florence, Chianti and Montalcino areas, and Valpolicella.
The following wine tour will likely be in France likely Bordeaux first and typically sooner or later Burgundy. These are all good plans that take fairly just a few months forward of time to rearrange. It is very important have a transparent calendar to facilitate such planning.
Is there a mentor who evokes you in your every day work?
Steve Jobs has been a continuing supply of inspiration. His unwavering deal with innovation, his relentless pursuit of perfection, and his means to suppose outdoors the field have deeply influenced my strategy to work. I try to emulate his imaginative and prescient and drive to create merchandise and experiences that actually resonate with folks.
Steve Jobs was not solely a visionary but additionally an distinctive chief. His means to construct high-performing groups, foster a tradition of creativity, and encourage unwavering dedication in his workers is really admirable. I attempt to apply these management ideas in my very own work, specializing in constructing sturdy relationships, empowering my crew, and making a constructive and provoking work atmosphere.
Steve Jobs persistently emphasised the significance of understanding and exceeding buyer expectations. This customer-centric strategy has deeply resonated with me. I imagine that by actually understanding the wants and needs of our visitors, we are able to create distinctive experiences that foster lasting relationships and drive continued success.
Cristian Nannucci and his spouse, Debbie Tay, are each companions managing their very own way of life administration consultancy, Join PRKL, that focuses on creating folks relations in Kuala Lumpur, “Forging Strategic Partnerships & Networks” – www.connectprkl.com
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