Gennaro Contaldo Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Wife, Children, Siblings, Parents, Career

Gennaro Contaldo, is an Italian Chef, who mentored Jamie Oliver and partnered with Antonio Carluccio to bring regional flavors to British screens through their hit BBC series Two Greedy Italians.

He absorbed cooking from local trattorias during school holidays before emigrating to London at 20 in 1969, starting in a hospital kitchen and rising through St John’s Wood spots to head chef at Carluccio’s Neal Street Restaurant.

His 1999 launch of Passione on Charlotte Street snagged Best Italian Restaurant honors in 2005, showcasing handmade pastas and foraged fungi until economic woes closed it in 2009.

Contaldo penned award-winning books like Passione, which clinched Gourmand Cookbook prizes, and Gennaro’s Italian Year, while dazzling on Saturday Kitchen with a 16.36-second omelette record and Guinness nod for 30 ravioli in two minutes.

Profile

• Full Name: Gennaro Contaldo
• Stage Name: Gennaro Contaldo
• Born: January 20, 1949
• Age: 76 years old
• Birthplace: Minori, Campania, Italy
• Nationality: Italian
• Occupation: Chef, Restaurateur, Cookbook Author, Television Personality
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Contaldo
• Siblings: Adriana Contaldo
• Spouse: Liz
• Children: 5
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Gennaro Contaldo was born on 20 January 1949 in Minori, Campania along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Contaldo. He grew up alongside his sister Adriana Contaldo as he worked summer shifts in local restaurants that ignited his chef calling over formal schooling.

He roamed Italy honing skills before London’s pull at age 20, drawing from wild mushrooms and game that defined his style. He is of Italian heritage, though his religion is not publicly known.

Career

Gennaro Contaldo landed in England in 1969 at Barnet General Hospital’s kitchen, pivoting briefly to Italian antiques before reclaiming stoves at St John’s Wood eateries and ascending to Neal Street Restaurant under Antonio Carluccio through 1998. Passione opened in 1999 on Charlotte Street, earning Tio Pepe’s Best Italian nod in 2005 for Amalfi-inspired plates until recession shuttered it in 2009.

Early TV flickered with The Food Programme and Breakfast, but Jamie Oliver’s Neal Street meetings sparked Naked Chef collaborations, Iron Chef cameos, and Jamie’s Italian menu mastery nationwide. His foraging zeal for fungi and game bridged Italian purity to British palates amid rising cookbook ventures.

Contaldo teamed with Carluccio for BBC’s 2011 Two Greedy Italians road trip across regions, followed by 2012’s Still Hungry sequel that unpacked rustic feasts and family recipes. Saturday Kitchen cemented records: fastest three-egg omelette at 16.36 seconds and 30 ravioli in two minutes for Guinness fame.

Passione’s 2003 cookbook swept Gourmand awards, spawning Gennaro’s Home Cooking, Easy Italian, and Italian Year that sold steadily. Oliver’s mentorship flipped to partnership, training Jamie’s Italian chefs globally while media spots on Self-Sufficiency and Fresh Food broadened reach.

Gennaro Contaldo graces food festivals, YouTube recipe drops, and BBC revivals with infectious demos of pasta al limone and wild salads from his site. Cookbooks stack 10 titles strong, while TV residencies on Saturday Kitchen span 20 years alongside Oliver Group ties.

His Amalfi ethos influences UK Italian dining through simplicity, seasonality, and ingredient-led balance that mentors emerging talents.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @gennarocontaldo
• Facebook Handle: Gennaro Contaldo
• Twitter Handle: @GennaroContaldo
• YouTube Handle: Gennaro Contaldo

Personal Life

Gennaro Contaldo is currently married to his wife Liz, who occasionally blogs about cooking for their family. He was previously married to a different partner in 1974. He has a total of five biological children.

He had three children from his first marriage and two more (twin daughters named Olivia and Chloe) with his current wife Liz.

Net Worth

Gennaro Contaldo has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Cookbook sales like Passione and Gennaro’s Italian Year generate royalties, paired with TV fees from BBC series, Saturday Kitchen residencies, and Jamie’s Italian partnerships. Restaurant runs at Passione and Neal Street, plus demos and online content, bolster steady earnings.