This charismatic Scots-born Italian is the man behind Bella Napoli.

But there is far much more to this man than an award-winning restaurant.

He oozes so much personality, and such a passion for Italian cuisine, that it is hard to believe no talent scouts have snapped him up to host his own TV show... yet.

But to Glasgow, and indeed Scotland, Domenico is very much the Celebrity Chef - and we should be proud that we have beaten Italy in having him call our country his home.

The 42-year-old was born in the east end of Glasgow. At that time, his Italian-born father Alfredo ran a successful cafe, which gave a young Domenico his early introduction to catering.

Dad Alfredo is also one of the pioneers that first brought Italian cuisine to Scotland, having learnt his trade at Valvona & Crolla in Edinburgh, and continues to run Dino's in Sauchiehall Street, while Domenico's younger brother Remo runs another famous institution, Little Italy in Byres Road in Glasgow's west end - so it's very much a family affair.

After a stint working with his father, Domenico launched his first pizzeria, Dominoes (and later Dom's Place) in Cardonald, before founding Italmania 15 years ago.

When it first opened in Giffnock, on Glasgow's south side, Italmania became Scotland's very first ‘designer’ pizza shop, complete with marble and brass furnishings and serving top quality pizzas to take-away.

A city centre branch followed before Domenico took over the ownership of the hugely-successful Bella Napoli in Shawlands in 2005.

Since then he has turned this establishment into the number one Italian restaurant in the UK, according to the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association.

As the proud father-of-two, who is dad to Cristina, 19, and 14-year-old Alfredo, puts it “running a restaurant is not simply a career, it's a lifestyle, it's my life”. He even jokes that it is part of his DNA! He adds: “I enjoy the job, I love the job, I think it brings out the best in my personality”.

It's clear from his impressive CV that Domenico lives and breathes Italian cuisine - and luckily so does wife Genny, who helps run the restaurant!

Over the years Domenico has won a number of accolades including: Pizza Designer of the Year (London, 2006); 2nd in the International Pizza Challenge (Las Vegas, 2007); and 2nd in the Italian Chef Awards (Las Vegas, 2007).

In fact, so well-respected in Italian circles worldwide is Domenico that he is now invited to judge cookery contests across the globe.

In 2008, he was the only non-American judge at the International Pizza Challenge.

The previous year, he was a UK judge at the 1st Olimpiade della Pizza (or Pizza Olympics) in Italy and again in 2008 judging at the Italian World Championships in Italy. His love of Scottish produce allowed him to be Master of Ceremonies at Scotland's annual Food Fest two years running.

But perhaps Domenico is most famous for his world-record breaking pizzas.
The experienced pizza chef-turned-restaurateur says: “I don't like being typecast as a pizza chef but I happen to be very good at making pizza and it's my favourite food.”

To coincide with the release of Casino Royale in 2006, the restaurateur designed and created ‘Pizza Royale 007’, a James Bond-themed pizza complete with lobster, gold leaf and caviar toppings.
It became the World's Most Expensive Pizza when auctioned on internet bidding site eBay and fetched £2,150 for charity.

Always one for a challenge, Domenico set out to better that record the following year when he created a ‘Heroes Pizza’ in honour of terrorist attack hero John Smeaton which raised £4,400 for charity.

For 2008, to coincide with the 22nd Bond movie Quantum of Solace, Domenico is creating an eagerly-awaited sequel with ‘Quantum Pizza007’, a themed pizza with 22 different toppings, each one representing a Bond film...

Not bad for a wee lad with a dream from Glasgow's east end!

Contact:  Domenico Crolla - mobile: 0797 1098765, email: domenico@crolla.com
               Bella Napoli - 85 Kilmarnock Rd, Glasgow, G41 3YR, Tel: 0141 632 4222

Click here or the image below to visit Bella Napoli