Matteo Maenza was born in Trani, Apulia, in 1984 and his deep passion for cooking led him to travel and work alongside some of the most world-renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Anne-Sophie Pic and Jean-François Piège. Since 2013 he has been the Executive Chef of the Lefay Resorts & Residences group and has been a passionate supporter of the principles of Lefay Vital Gourmet sustainable cuisine using his innate creativity to enhance it further. At the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony Italy 2025, he was awarded his first Michelin Star with the "Grual" Restaurant.