Three people standing indoors, two women and one man, with modern circular light fixtures overhead. The woman on the left wears a beige apron over a white shirt, the man in the middle has glasses and is dressed in a white chef's coat, and the woman on the right wears a beige blouse with a necklace. They are smiling and standing in front of a seating area with wooden tables and chairs.

  • Founder

    Pietro Catalano is the autodidact chef and creative force behind CAAA and the founder of Dineology — a philosophy that fuses fine dining, mixology, architecture, sound, and contemporary art into a single immersive experience.

    Born in Switzerland to a Swiss mother and a Calabrian father, Pietro grew up between two contrasting worlds:
    the precision, clarity, and discipline of Swiss culture, and the warmth, emotion, and expressive soul of Southern Italy.
    This dual heritage defines his work — structured yet poetic, technical yet deeply personal.

    Before entering gastronomy, Pietro studied classical trumpet at the Music University.
    Music became the framework for his understanding of emotion and timing: rhythm, silence, contrast and tension.
    These musical principles now shape every CAAA tasting menu, from pacing and composition to the emotional arc of each course.

    A true autodidact, Pietro built his craft outside traditional culinary routes.
    His education came from relentless experimentation, artistic curiosity, and a refusal to accept the boundaries between disciplines.
    This unconventional path led him to create Dineology — a new culinary language where gastronomy, mixology, contemporary design, and sustainable architecture form one coherent narrative.

    His work has been recognized internationally, including the One Knife Award from The Best Chef, global acknowledgment in the World’s 50 Best Bars for the Most Inventive Menu, and features in the Michelin Guide, Gault&Millau, Falstaff, and global design publications.

    At CAAA, Pietro leads an intimate micro-team with his wife Elena and sisters Stefania.

    Together, they orchestrate an experience where every detail — from the 3D-printed cellulose ceiling to the scent, sound, storytelling, and plating — is curated with intention.

    Pietro’s mission is not to serve dishes, but to create worlds.
    His cuisine is a dialogue between two cultures, two emotional registers, and two artistic languages — Swiss precision and Calabrian soul.
    He is a chef, composer, storyteller, and the architect of Dineology.

  • Pastry & Director of Design & Flavor

    Elena shapes the visual and sensory identity of CAAA. As Director of Design & Flavor, she approaches pastry with disciplined precision and a refined aesthetic, crafting textures and compositions with meticulous detail. Influenced by her travels, photography, she translates inspiration into thoughtful, elegant desserts that complete the Dineology experience.

  • Guest Experience, Mixology & Wine

    Stefania curates the guest experience at CAAA with a calm, intuitive precision. With training in sommelier craft, hospitality, and mixology, she bridges the world of food and beverage through thoughtful pairings and a refined sense of balance. Her authentic warmth and meticulous attention to detail ensure that every guest feels guided, welcomed, and fully immersed in the Dineology philosophy.