From Foie Gras To Film
My Creative Journey À La Carte.
RECENTLY I’ve been going à la carte! I spent seven months participating in the making of a short film, which we have just completed. I’m so excited about it. For over 20 years, I’ve dreamed of creating something beyond the kitchen, a project that could capture not just the essence of food but the life, the art, and the people around it. That dream has finally taken shape in R-Stories with Rampoldi, a short film unlike anything I’ve ever produced. It’s not meant to be a promotional video, it’s a full-scale cinematic production, and an exciting collaboration between culinary mastery and art.
From the beginning, I knew this project would be ambitious. The budget was high, so I turned to my partners - those who provide our fish, vegetables, wines, for example, as well as from luxury partners such as Roberto Cavalli and many others - to help me turn my dream into reality. For me, it’s always been about mutual benefit. If you work with me, you should feel the impact of the publicity, the creativity, and the shared pride in what we accomplish.
Monaco is small, and finding the right actors was harder than you might think. I didn’t want models, but authentic people - residents of Monaco, clients of the restaurant who embody the spirit of the Principality. Over seven months, we cast nine incredible characters: Luiz, the founder of The Monegasque™ who represents old Monaco; a Japanese actor; a French actor; the model Victoria Silvstedt; Lou Beyne, Principal Dancer with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo; and others, all of whom brought authenticity and heart to the project. Every scene was chosen carefully and shot over 36 long hours! We were at it for 20 hours a day, but even at the end of every evening, we all had big smiles on our faces.
It was such a privilege to work with such talented people. Behind the scenes, the film was realized through a creative partnership with writer-director and producer Snejana Barteneva, alongside the talents of co-producer Anton Usanov, director of photography Anzhelika Sharipova, and creative assistant Milana Chigridow, who brought ideas that elevated every frame. Production was by Bodo Studio. On set, the creative energy was nothing less than extraordinary. From chefs to waiters, every person on set gave their all without any complaints, without any stress or raised voices. Even though we filmed downstairs in La Table d’Antonio Salvatore, service continued upstairs; and everyone adapted, played their role, and contributed to the magic. I can’t thank everyone who participated enough.
For me, R-Stories with Rampoldi is not just about food, it’s about life in Monaco, the culture, the energy, and the people behind the scenes. Many know me simply as Antonio, the Italian in his white chef’s jacket, but my role is bigger: I’m creating a brand, a vision, a 360-degree experience. This film reflects that ambition, blending cuisine, art, performance, and style into one story. It is a realisation of a lifelong ambition: to create a “WOW” moment that people will remember.
Looking ahead, the next six months are just as exciting. We will launch our New Year’s menu, highlighting truffles, foie gras, and the best of winter. In November, we take Rampoldi to Dubai for the first time, with a pop-up restaurant called Il Jardino Rampoldi at Signor Sassi. The idea is to recreate the elegance of our restaurant, make a bit of a party, while at the same time testing the potential for future franchises.
Crossing the globe in the other direction, I’ll also be going to our restaurant in New York to prepare for the winter season. Its market is very sensitive to global economic and political tremors, but I’m forever hopeful that next year the world will be in a better place.
In March, Monaco will be hosting the Michelin ceremony, a key moment for gastronomy and really special that it will be in my adopted home. My personal focus will be on keeping our one Michelin star - it’s the hardest to achieve - and preparing for future achievements without pushing too hard. Excellence requires patience, presence, and respect for the process.
Through it all, it’s important to me that I remain low-profile. The brand, the work, the creativity… it is never about me alone. R-Stories with Rampoldi embodies this philosophy: a celebration of collaboration, talent, and the beauty of shared ambition. I am endlessly grateful to the cast, the crew, my partners, and my staff. Together, we have created something extraordinary, and I can’t wait for the world to see it.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Monegasque™.
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