The kitchen is more than a workspace for Beatrice Segoni and her son Luca Crostelli - it is a place where tradition is passed down like a family heirloom. Now at the helm of two of Jumeirah’s signature Italian restaurants - Pierchic at Jumeirah Al Qasr and the newly relaunched Cala Vista at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam - the pair infuse Dubai’s dining scene with their personal interpretations of Italian cuisine. Each dish reflects a quiet reverence for their roots in Italy’s rolling countryside by the sea and every recipe tells a tale of home and heart.

Beatrice’s story began in the picturesque Marche region of Italy, a place where the landscape itself seems to shape the flavours of the food. Nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic coast, the region unfolds with green hills, lush vineyards, and sleepy fishing villages. Known for its artisanal pasta and abundant seafood, Marche’s beauty lies in its simplicity: a rustic charm carried by the salty breeze and the warmth of sun-ripened produce.

It was here, in her grandmother’s kitchen, that Beatrice’s love for cooking took root. Days were spent watching as humble ingredients, freshly picked herbs, and local seafood were transformed into comforting dishes - each one a reflection of the land and sea that surrounded her. However, Beatrice’s path to becoming a chef was anything but ordinary. After starting out in fashion, she transitioned into the culinary world under the guidance of renowned Chef Gianfranco Vissani, who taught her to embrace simplicity and let each ingredient shine.

This philosophy shaped her journey from a quaint restaurant in Porto Recanati to the acclaimed Borgo San Jacopo in Florence, where she earned a Michelin Star. Now at Pierchic, Beatrice continues to share the flavours of her homeland from its stunning setting perched above the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf. Under Beatrice’s leadership, Pierchic has become a sought-after destination for elevated Italian dining, where guests can indulge in signature dishes like the delicate Fusilli Cacio e Pepe with white truffle or the rich Brodetto seafood soup, each plate a nod to Italy’s sun-dappled shores.

Luca’s culinary journey mirrors his mother’s, grounded in the same Marche traditions but shaped by his own quiet curiosity. From an early age, he was drawn to the kitchen, sneaking bites of freshly rolled pasta when his grandmother wasn’t looking. As the years passed, he spent more time in their family-owned restaurant, inspired by both his mother and grandmother, absorbing the aromas of simmering sauces and learning through their guidance. At the age of sixteen, Luca was gifted his first pasta cutter by Beatrice - a rite of passage that has followed him through every kitchen he’s worked in, from Europe to Dubai. The tool serves as a gentle reminder of the family legacy that continues to inspire each dish he creates.

Today, Luca brings his vibrant take on Italian cuisine to the reimagined Cala Vista. The restaurant’s rustic interiors open onto a terrace bathed in sunshine and dotted with olive trees, overlooking the mesmerising Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. The menu, crafted for sharing and creating lasting memories, features favourites like Carpaccio Di Manzo and Crudo Di Orata, alongside tempting wood-fired pizzas such as La Burrata and La Carpaccio Di Manzo. For dessert, the show-stopping Tiramisu, prepared fresh at the table, is a must.

Though Beatrice and Luca now stand in separate kitchens, the pair are still connected by the same values and passion they share for their craft. “I hope every guest that tastes my food realises that I cook with all my heart,” says Beatrice - a sentiment Luca equally embodies. Together, they offer more than a meal - they offer a glimpse into their family’s story, where each recipe is a tribute to generations spent cooking side by side.

Discover Pierchic at Jumeirah Al Qasr and the newly relaunched Cala Vista at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam  - two restaurants along Dubai’s glittering shores.