Chef Leonardo Bonfanti

Private Chef in Syracuse

Hi, I'm Leonardo Bonfanti, but you can call me Leo.

I have experience in Italy, England and Brazil. I bring to you my passion for gastronomy, respect for local ingredients and my Sicilian roots, in addition to the classics dishes of Mediterranean cuisine, I also have a deep knowledge of Brazilian gastronomy, thanks to my years spent in there. I'll cook for you the best of Mediterranean or Brazilian cuisine, and remember

"Meglio mangiare che parlare"

Chef Leo

For me, cooking is...

My passion and life style

I learned to cook at...

With my mamma, my nonna, around the world

A cooking secret...

Less is always more!

My menus

Mediterranean Terra Mare experience

STARTER

All inclusive

Sicilian selection, all served at the table to share, in the proper Sicilian way

"MARZAMEMI BRUSCHETTA" home made tomato rustic bread with local marinated anchovies, confit red cherry tomato, sweet and sour red onion and Sicilian oregano

Caponata, burrata, focaccia and dark chocolate

Local cheese, cured meet, marmelade and olives selection

Sicilian Cous cous with seasonal vegetables

"PACHINO BRUSCHETTA" Served of our oregano rustic bread with fresh choped cherry tomato, baked ricotta cheese and basil

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"PESCE AMMUDDICATU" fish of the day bread crumbed and baked with a citrus sauce and char grilled red pepper, roscket and mint salad

"LA BELLA NORMA" pasta rigatoni, fresh ricotta, aubergine, confit of Pachino cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and salted ricotta

"STINCO DI MAIALE" white wine braised shank of pork served whith local vegegetable cous cous

Risotto with fennel sausages, courgettes, goat cheese and mint

Black squid ink linguine pasta, red Mediterranean prawn, burrata and lemon zest

Lasagna with Sicilian ragù

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Orange, marsala and dark chocolate Tiramisù

Ricotta Crostata with almond and candied orange

Flavors of the Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Caponata, burrata, focaccia and dark chocolate

Selection of local cured meat, cheese, olives and marmelade

Sicilian Cous cous with seasonal vegetables and grilled prawns

"INSALATA SICILIANA" Octopus, Fennel, potatoes, capers, tomatoes, orange, olives, sweet&sour red onions and herbs salad

"PARMIGIANA" Aubergine lasagna (no pasta) on a rich tomatoes, basil sauce and mozzarel

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"PESCE AMMUDDICATU" fish of the day bread crumbed and baked with a citrus sauce and char grilled red pepper, rocket and mint salad

"LA BELLA NORMA", pasta rigatoni, fresh ricotta, aubergine, confit of Pachino cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and salted ricotta

"STINCO DI MAIALE" white wine braised shank of pork served whith local vegegetable cous cous

"CALAMARO RIPIENO" squid stuffed with breadcrumbs, almonds, rasins, pecorino cheese and fresh herbs served with, broad beans and fennel veloute

Risotto with fennel sausages, courgettes, goat cheese and mint

Black squid ink linguine pasta, red Mediterranean prawn, burrata and lemon zest

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ricotta Crostata with, almond and candied orange

Orange, marsala and dark chocolate Tiramisù

Gelato

Sicilian coastal feast

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Caponata, burrata, focaccia and dark chocolate

"TARTARE DI TONNO", Red tuna tartare, orange, baked ricotta chees, mint and pantelleria capers

Selection of local cured meat, cheese, olives and marmelade

"INSALATA SICILIANA" Octopus, Fennel, potatoes, capers, tomatoes, orange, olives, sweet&sour red onions and herbs salad

"TAORMINA SALAD" Mixed leaves, Burrata, char grilled red peppers, prawns and almonds

"Crudo di Sicilia" Raw crustáceos lightly marinated , Red sicilian Prawns, Langostin, tuna tartare and Oyster

"PARMIGIANA" Aubergine lasagna (no pasta) on a rich tomatoes and basil sauce, mozzarella, toasted bread crumbs and lemon zest

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"RISO AL MARE" Risotto rice cooked in a fish stock, saffron, mussels, prawns, calamari and courgettes

"PACCHERI" pasta stuffed mediterrean fish ragù, confit of cherry tomatoes sauce, fresh herbs and toasted almonds

"LA BELLA NORMA" pasta rigatoni, fresh ricotta, aubergine, confit of Pachino cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and salted ricotta

Blak squid ink linguine pasta, red Mediterranean prawn, burrata and lemon zest

Risotto with fennel sausages, courgettes, goat cheese and mint

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"STINCO DI MAIALE" white wine braised shank of pork served whith local vegegetable cous cous

"PESCE AMMUDDICATU" fish of the day bread crumbed and baked with a citrus sauce and char grilled red pepper, rocket and mint salad

TERRINA DELL'ORTOLANO, skin of grilled red pepeers, mushrooms, courgettes, pumpkin and mint served on a couliflower veloute and toasted bread crumbs

"POLPO UBRIACO" Nero d'avola, red onion and basil braised octopus, rosemay focaccia and gremolata

"TONNO ALLA RICCARDO" fresh red tuna, pistacchio crumbs served with a refreshing orange and fennel Sicilian salad

"CALAMARO RIPIENO" squid stuffed with breadcrumbs, almonds, rasins, pecorino cheese and fresh herbs served with, peas and mint veloute'

POLPO e POMODORO: Grilled octopus, with confit tomatoes, roasted potatoes and “salsa verde”

"PESCE ALL'ACQUA PAZZA" Fillet of fish of the day poached on a lightly basil, mint and cherry tomato broth

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Orange, marsala and dark chocolate Tiramisù

Ricotta Crostata with chocolate, almond and candied orange

Gelato

Mediterranean experience 1

STARTER

All inclusive

WELCOME APERITIVO: local cheese and cured meet selectio, sun dried tomatoes home made capuliato and local olives

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"INSALATA SICILIANA" Octopus, Fennel, potatoes, capers, tomatoes, orange, olives, sweet&sour red onions and herbs salad

"PARMIGIANA" Aubergine lasagna (no pasta) on a rich tomatoes and basil sauce, mozzarella and fonduta of parmesan cheese

"CAPONATA" Relish made of eggplant, onions, celery, peppers, carots, tomatoes, toasted almonds, olives and capers in a sweet&soar sauce, served with burrata and rosemary focaccia

Red tuna tartare, orange, ricotta cheese and pantelleria capers

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"STINCO DI MAIALE" white wine braised shank of pork served whith local vegegetable cous cous

"LA BELLA NORMA", pasta rigatoni, fresh ricotta, aubergine, confit of Pachino cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and salted ricotta

"SPADA AMMUDICATO" sword fish bread crumbed and baked with a citrus sauce, served with bbq grilled tomato and red peppers

"PACCHERI" paccheri pasta stuffed mediterrean fish ragù, confit of cherry tomatoes, mint and drops of pistacchio pesto

"LASAGNA DELL'ORTOLANO" , porcini mushroom, artichoke, cauliflower besciamella and fresh ricotta

"CALAMARO RIPIENO" squid stuffed with breadcrumbs, almonds, rasins, pecorino cheese and fresh herbs served with, broad beans and fennel veloute

"POLPO UBRIACO" Nero d'avola, red onion and basil braised octopus, rosemay focaccia and gremolata

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ricotta, almonds and orange crostata

Orange, marsala and dark chocolate Tiramisù

Mediterranean experience 2

STARTER

All inclusive

WELCOME APERITIVO: local cheese and cured meet selectio, sun dried tomatoes home made capuliato and local olives

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"INSALATA SICILIANA" Octopus, Fennel, potatoes, capers, tomatoes, orange, olives, sweet&sour red onions and herbs salad

"CAPONATA" Relish made of eggplant, onions, celery, peppers, carots, tomatoes, toasted almonds, olives and capers in a sweet&soar sauce, served with burrata and rosemary focaccia

"PARMIGIANA" Aubergine lasagna (no pasta) on a rich tomatoes and basil sauce, mozzarella and fonduta of parmesan cheese

"FAGOTTINO DI GUANCIALE" thin slice of guanciale stuffed with white wine and oregano marineted courgette and fresf anchiovies, served with pea and mint veloute

Red tuna tartare, orange, ricotta cheese and pantelleria capers

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"STINCO DI MAIALE" white wine braised shank of pork served whith local vegegetable cous cous

"POLPO UBRIACO" Nero d'avola, red onion and basil braised octopus, rosemay focaccia and gremolata

"CALAMARO RIPIENO" squid stuffed with breadcrumbs, almonds, rasins, pecorino cheese and fresh herbs served with, broad beans and fennel veloute

RISO AL MARE: Risotto rice cooked in a fish stock, saffron, mussels, clams, prawns, octopus and peas

"PACCHERI" paccheri pasta stuffed mediterrean fish ragù, confit of cherry tomatoes, mint and drops of pistacchio pesto

"LA BELLA NORMA", pasta rigatoni, fresh ricotta, aubergine, confit of Pachino cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and salted ricotta

"LASAGNA DELL'ORTOLANO" , porcini mushroom, artichoke, cauliflower besciamella and fresh ricotta

"Pesce spada ammuddicatu" sword fish bread crumbed and baked with a citrus sauce and caponata

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Orange, marsala and dark chocolate Tiramisù

Ricotta Crostata with chocolate, almond and candied orange

Mediterranean experience 3

STARTER

All inclusive

WELCOME APERITIVO: local cheese and cured meet selection, sun dried tomatoes home made capuliato and local olives

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"FAGOTTINO DI GUANCIALE" thin slice of guanciale stuffed with white wine and oregano marineted courgette and fresf anchiovies, served with pea and mint veloute

"INSALATA SICILIANA" Octopus, Fennel, potatoes, capers, tomatoes, orange, olives, sweet&sour red onions and herbs salad

"PARMIGIANA" Aubergine lasagna (no pasta) on a rich tomatoes and basil sauce, mozzarella and fonduta of parmesan cheese

"CAPONATA" Relish made of eggplant, onions, celery, peppers, carots, tomatoes, toasted almonds, olives and capers in a sweet&soar sauce, served with burrata and rosemary focaccia

Red tuna tartare, orange, ricotta cheese and pantelleria capers

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"CALAMARO RIPIENO" squid stuffed with breadcrumbs, almonds, rasins, pecorino cheese and fresh herbs served with, broad beans and fennel veloute

"POLPO UBRIACO" Nero d'avola, red onion and basil braised octopus, rosemay focaccia and gremolata

RISO AL MARE: Risotto rice cooked in a fish stock, saffron, mussels, clams, prawns, octopus and peas

"Pesce spada ammiddicatu" sword fish bread crumbed and baked with a citrus sauce and grilled red peppers

"PACCHERI" paccheri pasta stuffed mediterrean fish ragù, confit of cherry tomatoes, mint and drops of pistacchio pesto

"LA BELLA NORMA", pasta rigatoni, fresh ricotta, aubergine, confit of Pachino cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and salted ricotta

"LASAGNA DELL'ORTOLANO" , porcini mushroom, artichoke, cauliflower besciamella and fresh ricotta

"STINCO DI MAIALE" white wine braised shank of pork served whith local vegegetable cous cous

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ricotta Crostata with chocolate, almond and candied orange

Orange, marsala and dark chocolate Tiramisù

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Chef Leonardo's reviews

4.67

•

24 services

Chef Leo did an amazing job, and we where blown away of his incredible food! Punctual, super friendly and really made us feel like we where in a real restaurant ???? I can highly recommend Chef Leonardo if you want a nice meal????????????

Our evening with Chef Leo, to celebrate our Aunt’s 80th birthday, was everything we could have hoped for, and more. The food was delicious and overly abundant. He was kind and friendly, and explained all the dishes as they were served. It was a celebration we won’t soon forget. Thank you Chef Leo and Take a Chef. ☺️

The dinner Chef Leo cooked for our group of six was a highlight of our trip to Sicily! We wanted to focus on local ingredients and dishes, and he took that request and put together an incredible five-course menu. We had a couple of special requests (members of our group not eating certain ingredients) and he gracefully adapted his original proposed menu to accommodate. He also recommended a dish we might not have otherwise tried, after I asked if there was anything special we should try, and it turned out to be one of our favorites. He was very responsive leading up to the meal, which was essential since we were planning only a week in advance and from overseas, and on the night of the dinner he was friendly and engaging as he explained all of the dishes and answered our questions. Even though he was working in a small and unfamiliar kitchen at our rental, service was flawless. He also cleaned everything afterward!

Our experience with Chef Leo was incredible! Leo was very accommodating to our requests to change the menu and made the whole experience from start to finish a delight. The food tasted amazing and Leo did a fantastic job pairing each course with a wine. I would absolutely recommend Leo to anyone looking for a personal chef experience! We will be using Take a Chef again thanks to this wonderful experience.

Amazing service! We were a group of 7 of us, the chef was extremely professional, punctual and friendly! The food was incredible, and there was ample, so much so that we had leftover for dinner the following day! All ingredients used were extremely fresh. I wouldn’t have expected any better! Well done chef Leo! And thank you for making it such a special evening.

We only have good things to say about our experience with Chef Leo. The food was fantastic. He navigated our chaotic household with young kids with grace and was accomodating to everyone's preferences and dietary restrictions. Would 100% book again.

Chef Leo was fantastic! We wanted some typical Sicilian food and this is exactly what Chef Leo delivered. Delicious food and plenty of it. This was a special occasion and Chef Leo kindly prepared a birthday cake too. We had absolutely fabulous evening, couldn’t recommend more. Thank you.

Chef Leo was an absolute delight to work with! His food and presentation were amazing, and he communicated very well in advance. Great value for money, and I highly recommend Chef Leo!

Chef Leo was a pleasure to work with, and the multi-course meal he created for our dinner party in Sicily exceeded our expectations. The food was well-packaged for drop-off, fresh and delicious. Would highly recommend him!