New Executive Pastry Chef Jacopo Bruni Brings Delectable Flair To The Peninsula Beijing

The Peninsula Beijing is pleased to welcome Chef Jacopo Bruni as the hotel’s new Executive Pastry Chef. Chef Bruni brings a wealth of experience to the role, after years of working in some of the finest hotel restaurants in both Europe and China.

Originally from Italy, Chef Bruni studied his craft at ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine in the city of Parma. In 2013, he was awarded his degree as Master of Italian Cuisine, under the tutelage of renowned Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo. He began his culinary career as the pastry chef at the newly opened Ink 24 Hotel in Parma, as Executive Pastry Chef for the property’s Inkiostro restaurant – which subsequently won its own Michelin star. 

After an experience at the St. Regis San Clemente Palace in Venice, Chef Bruni took his formidable skills to London. There, he spent the next several years as Head Pastry Chef at some of the city’s highest-end hotels, including The Connaught Hotel, the Baglioni Hotel, and the London EDITION.

In February of 2018, Chef Bruni was invited to join the newly opened Shanghai EDITION as Executive Pastry Chef. In this role, he created desserts for all three of the five-star hotel’s restaurants, as well as for dozens of banquets and special events. During this time, along with his signature creations ­– including a decadent nine-layer cherry Chiffon cake, rich chocolate sacher torte and honey-bourbon flaming Alaska – Chef Bruni began expanding his offerings to include more traditional Chinese desserts, such as malagao (steamed cakes). He is also starting to incorporate Chinese flavours and ingredients into his recipes – such as jasmine tea, Hangzhou green tea, Asian pear, and even durian fruit (which he now uses in cookies and ice cream).

“Moving to China has been wonderful,” Chef Bruni said. “Every day, I learn more about the culture, the flavours, the ingredients, and the history here. For the sort of work I do, It is for me the most attractive country in the world.”

Chef Bruni will take on his new role as Executive Pastry Chef at The Peninsula Beijing beginning on 1 September.

“I cannot wait to start my experience at The Peninsula Beijing,” he said. “It is an honour to join one of the world’s well-known luxury hotel brands, in such a beautiful and cultured city. My goal is to help provide uniquely delectable dining experiences, and even more lasting memories, for Peninsula guests.”