Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
About Us
We focus on investigating "forgotten ingredients" emphasizing a natural,
and more healthy way of eating.
Influenced by Italian / French cuisine and inspired by many years lived in Wales, Gem42 is the culinary vision of Twin Brothers Chef Sergio and Pastry Chef Pasquale . Their passion for cooking and for the world of Hospitality, started at a young age and was nurtured with 5 years
at the Scuola Alberghiero Teano, a renowned Culinary Academy in Teano CE. (Italy) a passion that from there has grown and led them to work in different patisseries and fine dining establishments all over Europe. Their respect and love for nature, fresh produce and cooking has been a major part of their life. Their earliest memories as children having fun with muddy shoes foraging in the Italian countryside or of days on their family fishing boat in the Adriatic Sea.
This love and respect for homegrown vegetables and fresh ingredients is the foundation of the Cinotti’s Brothers cooking and their inspiration behind their work. Chef Sergio and Pasquale culinary formations then developed with working experience which included several Michelin starred establishments, to name a few relevant to their formation - (1992 -The El Bulli, Catalonia ,Spain). (1996 - Dal Pescatore Canneto sull'Oglio,Mantova, Italy).
(1997- Restaurant de L’hôtel de Ville de Crisseir Switzerland)
They both continued in further education and come to the Uk and graduated from Cardiff University, while in Wales sought opportunities to further develop their own creativity as professional chefs and together started a Desserts Manufacturing Company "Gemelli Desserts" distributing to restaurants -hotels - retail and foodservice channels, with a tradition of incorporating the highest quality ingredients to their successful line of desserts. With Gemelli, a popular dessert manufacturer the twins, expanded their venture to include patisseries points of sale and three restaurants, showcasing their culinary expertise and entrepreneurial spirit.
In 2016, the Cinotti brothers decided to sell the manufacturing site and their patisseries and in September 2018, launched Gem42, a restaurant that embodies their culinary vision.
Initially running three restaurants, they chose to focus solely on Gem42 in 2021, selling the other establishments to concentrate on this venture.
Since 2021 the kitchen at Gem42 has been under the leadership of Chef Sergio who has been working tirelessly, achieving remarkable results. His commitment to fresh, sustainable ingredients is evident in the garden he has created, where he grows a variety of vegetables and micro herbs. This garden serves as a vital source of inspiration and fresh produce for his dishes. Additionally, Chef Sergio has established a lab test kitchen dedicated to culinary innovation and the development of new recipes, continually pushing the boundaries of contemporary cuisine.
His commitment to sustainable product research and development in cooperation with Cardiff University and now with Aberystwyth University, highlights his innovative approach to gastronomy. In 2022 Gem42 has received 3AARosettes for Culinary Excellence and awarded AA Restaurant of the Year -Wales .The Welsh restaurant Award 2023 Winner and recently presented with the AA Notable Wine List.
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Our latest Project
In recent years, at Gem42 we have established a dedicated Test – Lab kitchen in which to create freely without the pressures of a normal, working kitchen, and create our restaurants new dishes, ideas, and techniques. Some of these projects dig into the research of new seeds, planting and cultivation, some delve into developing of new menus and working on food & Fermentation.
The policy at Gem42 is Zero Waste, and the vibe is recovery. We use quality, fresh, and healthy ingredients with nothing thrown away. Gem42, aims to avoid food leftovers, and if any little waste is produced, is composted, and recycled.
Chef Sergio says: "Our menu have dishes that highlight the use of the whole ingredient, whether that’s nose to tail, root to fruit or indeed tail to fin”. Gem42 menu, is full of pickled and preserved items which is also a sign of a chef committed to extracting maximum value from ingredients.
"The real Heroes in our Restaurant are the Ingredients"
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The quality of the raw materials, as well as authenticity and simplicity, is at the heart of the philosophy of Gem42 Restaurant that has selected, only the best of what the Welsh market & Farmers offer, respecting fully the change of the seasons. Gem42 offers a seasonal menu, influenced by homegrown ingredients, in fact where possible we grow, forage or farm as much of the produce we use.
Every single ingredient has its own importance, and each dish has its own story to tell, designed to make the most of every ingredient.
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Our wine list is rich, and full of personality, a love affair with grape variety. We work with a range of low intervention, organic and biodynamic artisanal wines producers with great offers of wine pairing and also home-made Kombucha pairing, which comes into the equation, with a great success.
Chef Sergio.
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