Media

Press Coverage

When the international food press talks about Sicilian cuisine, it talks about Ciccio. When it talks about Ciccio, it isn't always sure what it's saying. But it says it with conviction.

The Mineo Times

Mineo's Son Conquers the World (and Also Dubai)

From a grandmother's kitchen to eleven restaurants across five continents: Francesco D'Amplo's story proves that in Mineo, dreams are made in a pot.

2023-04-12

Corriere Gastronomico

Gordon Ramsay Challenges Ciccio Damplo: Who Makes the Best Pasta? (Spoiler: Ciccio Already Won Before It Started)

The culinary challenge of the decade took place in secret in Monaco. Ciccio served his Pasta alla Norma Riserva Privata. Ramsay tasted it, cried, asked for the recipe. He was told no.

2022-08-15

L'Osservatore Romano Gastronomico

The Pope Tastes Ciccio's Pasta alla Norma: Three Days of Silence, Then a Statement

During the pastoral visit to Sicily, the Pontiff accepted Ciccio Damplo's invitation. What happened afterwards is still the subject of theological study.

2021-10-03

TV Sorrisi e Piatti

MasterChef Italy Announces Ciccio Damplo as New Judge. Contestants Have Already Cried at Auditions

MasterChef's production team had spent months seeking a face that embodied Italian culinary rigour. Ciccio submitted an unsolicited application. He got the job.

2024-11-20

La Repubblica

"The Art of Crushing" by Ciccio Damplo: The Cookbook That Contains No Recipes

Ciccio Damplo's first book has been at the top of the charts for eight weeks. It is sixty percent photographs, thirty percent philosophical reflections on Sicilian cuisine, and ten percent recipes that he himself describes as "deliberately incomplete."

2023-02-28

Il Giornale del Gusto

Berlusconi Proposes Ciccio Damplo as Food Minister. Ciccio Declines: "I Already Have Ten Restaurants"

During a private dinner at Villa Certosa, the former Prime Minister put forward the proposal. Ciccio responded after three courses of reflection.

2022-07-04

Gambero Rosso

Ciccio Damplo's Secret Vineyard: The Wine That Isn't Sold and Is Worth More Than the Wine That Is

Two thousand Nero d'Avola and Catarratto vines in the countryside between Mineo and Caltagirone. The wine is not commercially available. One bottle was already auctioned for three thousand euros. Ciccio did not authorise the auction.

2023-09-10

Corriere dello Sport Gastronomico

The Peace Between Messi and Ronaldo: Thanks to a Cannolo. Ciccio Won't Comment, But You Can Tell He's Proud

For the first time in six years the two sat at the same table. They were both at Damplo Monaco. The fourth cannolo of the Cannolo Omakase Experience did the rest.

2022-11-30

Wall Street Arancino

Trump Wants to Open Damplo at Mar-a-Lago. He Offered Ten Million. Ciccio Said No.

The most improbable negotiation in the restaurant world concluded after three meetings, two counter-offers, and a six-course dinner. Ciccio's answer never changed.

2024-03-22

Hollywood Reporter Siciliano

Megan Fox: "Ciccio's Cannolo Changed My Life. I Sat There for Two Hours Without Speaking."

The American actress recounts for the first time her experience at Damplo Monaco. Her agent was worried. The director of her next film too.

2023-05-14

Australian Gourmet Traveller

Damplo Melbourne: The Sicilian Restaurant That Made Flinders Lane Cry (And Already Has an 18-Month Waiting List)

Opened in January 2026, Damplo Melbourne is Ciccio's boldest bet: bringing Sicilian cuisine to the antipodes. The octopus with macadamia soil is already the most photographed dish in the city.

2026-01-28

Decanter Italia

The Damplo Cellar: 3,000 Labels, a Sommelier Who Never Says No, and a Wine That Doesn't Officially Exist

Decanter gained exclusive access to the private cellar at Damplo Mineo. What we found exceeded all expectations. Including the wine from Ciccio's private vineyard, which is technically not available but which we tasted.

2024-04-05

La Cucina Italiana

Carlo Cracco Admits: "Ciccio's Norma Is Better Than Mine." He Then Asked Us Not to Publish It. We Are Publishing.

The most embarrassing interview of the gastronomic season took place in the Damplo Mineo kitchen, during an unannounced Cracco visit that he subsequently tried to make announced only in retrospect.

2023-10-18

Tibet Gourmet Weekly

The Dalai Lama and the Caviar Granita: "I Found a Higher Consciousness. I Didn't Know It Could Come from Caviar."

During his European tour, the Tibetan spiritual leader made an unplanned detour. It was to Damplo Monaco. The spokesperson described the visit as "gastronomically spiritual."

2022-06-09

Yacht & Arancino

Exclusive Interview with Ciccio Damplo on His Yacht: "I Don't Have Time for Holidays. I Have Time for the Sea."

We reached him in the Mediterranean, between a route to Barcelona and a video call with his Tokyo sommelier. He answered all the questions. Not all the questions we wanted to ask.

2024-07-15