Our

Story

Head chef Paolo Cillo brings a true taste of Italy to Liverpool, combining generations of Italian tradition with his own unique creative flair, to create seasonal menus that have seen Il Forno be named nationally, again and again, one of the nation's finest restaurants.

Together with his brother, general manager Donato Cillo, the pair masterfully combine skill and passion to serve up traditional flavours that ooze authenticity. Indeed, Il Forno epitomises the Italian kitchen - literally. Donato's wife is a pastry chef; his brother a pizza chef; as is his son. The Cillos personally source the finest products from their Italian roots, from award-winning olive oil to the traditional flour that creates Il Forno's famous wood-fire pizzas.

This is a family that lives and breathes Italian cuisine.

Receiving numerous national accolades over the past decade – from ‘Best Pizza’ at the 2015 English Italian Awards to being named one of the country’s top Italian restaurants by The Sunday Times food critic AA Gill – the Il Forno promise is simple. The best Italian ingredients, prepared by experienced Italian chefs, in a true Italian kitchen – with enough heart and soul to feed Italy.

Expect a buzz of Italian accents. Anticipate a bustle of native diners.

Experience Il Forno. The proper Italian kitchen.

Paolo Cillo - Executive Chef

Paolo’s signature dishes have been described as ‘revisited Italian cuisine’ - he takes the best traditional recipes, making them better. His creative, seasonal menus reflect his upbringing in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. Here he was initiated into family cooking at a young age and, working in family restaurants from just 13, learnt that simple ingredients, prepared with skill, could bring dishes to life.

Aldo Bove – Manager

From a young age, Aldo, of Apulia in Italy’s south,  knew he wanted to travel the globe and he has certainly done so - working in some the finest hotels and restaurants in Italy, Australia and the UK. Settled now in Liverpool, he brings a combination of worldly vision and Italian roots to Il Forno.

Antonio Di Natale (Nino) - Head Chef

Sicilian-born Nino moved to the UK in 2009, with ambition to take his hospitality career that one step further. He accepted a position as a commis chef at Il Forno and hasn't looked back. Now an integral part of the restaurant's kitchen, Nino's passion for Italian cuisine stems from his upbringing in Messina, an Italian foodie capital. His favourite dish to cook on the menu is Ossobuco Alla Milanese.