About us

Marco Borghesi is from Brescia, a medieval city in the region of Lombardy, northern Italy. Ready for a relatively late change of course in life, Marco decided to venture off to foreign shores and arrived in London in 1999. Having always had a passion for cooking and fine Italian cuisine,  he embarked on a new career as General Manager of predominantly Italian Fine Dining restaurants all over central London.

Following his  grandmother's footsteps, at the end of 2009 the opportunity arose to open his own restaurant with his life partner Nikola and Al Borgo in Teddington was born. Marco's hospitable Italian nature and love of food and wine is evident in the way he is always happy to share his knowledge and tries to make guests feel "at home" at Al Borgo.

Head-Chef Paolo Cavagnis is from Bergamo, a historical town in Lombardy in the foothills of the Italian Alps, where he trained as  chef for 5 years and subsequently obtained a Professional Diploma at the Professional State Institute of Hotel & Restaurant Services. He also attended a specialisation course in Alimentary Technology at the same institution.

Gathering extensive experience in renowned hotels and restaurants in Bergamo, Baveno at the Lake Maggiore and on the island of Elba, Paolo came to London in 2006. Following positions as Chef de Partie and Sous Chef at various Italian restaurants in Central London, including the Baglioni Hotel in Kensington, he joined Al Borgo as Head Chef in August 2010.

Paolo's passion for Italian cuisine is ever present in the preparation and presentation of his dishes, which are all based on carefully sourced ingredients of the finest quality.