ALESSANDRO MERLO

We can say that Alessandro MERLO was steeped in gastronomy from birth. Indeed, born in the hills of Piedmont, in the town of Acqui Terme, Alessandro spent all his childhood in this town renowned for its gastronomy and its vineyards.

Coming from a family of restaurateurs, he began his studies in Italy at the Hotel School of Piedmont, and then graduated from ASPI & ASI in international and professional sommellerie.

Once the diploma in hand, he will go to conquer the best in this field to perfect his training. Thus, after several years at the Swallow Royal Hotel in Bristol, England, Alessandro moved to Los Angeles where he worked for 7 years at Piero Selvaggio's Valentino restaurant. This will allow him to exercise the profession of sommelier for one of the most beautiful wine lists in America with more than 2000 references.

With this experience, he will be offered the position of Head Sommelier in prestigious restaurants in New York for 4 years. He will then fly to Tokyo where he will collaborate with the great Dassai house, producers of artisanal sake, thus marrying Italian and Japanese cuisine.

His passion for cooking will be born during his collaborations with great starred chefs in Paris, where he will spend 8 beautiful years, as Director of Wines at Slj Cohen, owner of major restaurant brands. At the same time, he started his career as an entrepreneur by organizing tasting evenings, as well as food and wine pairing dinners for individuals. Alongside his work as a sommelier, he decided to improve his skills as a chef by training in Barcelona, Milan and Paris.

During his travels, Alessandro fell in love with Africa, more specifically Senegal. He then decides to put all his experience at the service of the "country of teranga" where he will open Nolaine Caffé at first and then the Noliane Restaurant.

Today, father of 2 beautiful daughters Noliane and Ella, he still nourishes as much passion for his profession that he continues to exercise as on the first day.

He cannot finish this portrait without thanking his parents Anna and Renato for teaching him the value of work, his teacher Luciano Servetti for being a true motivator and Piero Selvaggio for transmitting to him all the love and dedication for this magnificent profession.