2007 Hotelier Of The World Candidate: Natale Rusconi, Hotel Cipriani

Dr. Natale Rusconi was appointed managing director for this Orient-Express hotel in 1997 and has had an illustrious career, following both his father and grandfather as hoteliers.

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 4/1/2007

DR. NATALE RUSCONI, managing director, Hotel Cipriani, Venice

Dr. Natale Rusconi was appointed managing director for this Orient-Express hotel in 1997 and has had an illustrious career, following both his father and grandfather as hoteliers. Rusconi, in fact, was born into the business when he was born at his grandfather’s Hotel Argentina in Milan.
In 1954, Rusconi travelled to London to work at The Savoy Hotel. The CIGA group of hotels brought him back to Italy where he contributed his expertise to the Gritti Palace in Venice and later the Grand Hotel in Rome. In 1975, Rusconi returned to the Gritti Palace as its GM and honed his skills in the culinary arts.

A supporter of Venice in Peril and Save Venice, he has organized exhibitions for artists
and musicians and established Italy’s first international gourmet cooking school. Rusconi
has written several books on international cuisine and restaurant techniques and founded
the Northern Italian Cooks Association