Elementi

The story

Elementi: Andrea Impero’s Michelin-Starred Contemporary Umbrian Cuisine in Perugia

Elementi is the fine dining restaurant of Borgobrufa SPA Resort, set in the quiet hills of Brufa di Torgiano, just outside Perugia. The kitchen is driven by a clear, crystalline philosophy: the relentless search for essence, truth, well-being, and harmony. This is a “cucina di pensiero” – a cuisine of thought, born from a deep reflection on what it means to cook, beyond the mere transformation of ingredients.

Chef Andrea Impero

Young but already seasoned, Chef Andrea Impero built his career in Italy and abroad. He trained at Taverna del Capitano (two Michelin stars), worked in Rome, and then held key roles as Executive Chef in Vladivostok, London, and Moscow. His return to Italy brought him to Borgobrufa, where he “reinvents” the concept of Umbrian cuisine. He spends his days scanning the region for the best breeders, growers, and producers, building relationships that allow him to start from the essence – the “elements” – of each ingredient. The restaurant earned its Michelin star under his direction, a recognition of the excellence achieved.

The Cuisine

Respect for tradition is absolute, but taste is forged by modern technique. The restaurant offers two tasting paths: “Visione” and “Ispirazione”. The latter, the chef’s most creative and free journey, changes yearly. The à la carte menu includes dishes like “Pasta & Cipolla” – spaghettini with Cannara onion cryoextraction and aged Parmigiano – and “Il Buen Ritiro”, mackerel with preserved zucchini escabeche. Each dish is an essential element, designed for balance, elegance, and a touch of surprise. The raw material is both the starting and ending point of a circular path that begins with the earth.

The Setting

The dining room is minimalist and poetic, with a mise en place by Domiziani that adds artful touches. Quiet and harmony define the atmosphere, allowing the food to speak clearly. Every detail is placed with care.

The Recognition

The Michelin star confirms what the restaurant’s own words describe: a cuisine of thought, rooted in Umbrian identity, led by a chef whose passion and technique have created something genuinely refined.