Osteria Shrewsbury is celebrating after winning top awards yet again
Alessandro Degiorgio took the top prize of Best Chef 2024, once again at The Italian Awards final – dubbed the Oscars of Italian catering – from none other than celebrity chef Aldo Zilli.
His Italian restaurant Osteria in Shrewsbury also won Best Italian Restaurant in the Midlands 2024.
My name is Alessandro Degiorgio. I’m the chef and owner of Osteria, Shrewsbury.
On Sunday we were awarded best restaurant in the Midlands and again for the second consecutive year I’ve been best chef for the Italian Award.
We had four judges this year who gave us the chance and the opportunity to arrive where we are.
We could do nothing, to be honest with you, without our customers’ vote.
This is sort of like a three-stage process. You get voted first, then it depends on the category.
In our case, we went to the Cheshire Culinary School in Manchester and we did the cook-off over there.
Then after the cook-off, we had the gala with all the announcements of the winners on the 6th October 2024.
Aldo Zilli gave us the good news on the podium and it’s fantastic, to be fair.
It’s very satisfying to be recognised and to be appreciated for all the hard work that we’re doing here.
I’m like Marmite, you either like me or you don’t. I’m trying so hard to offer a genuine Italian experience here, some authentic food.
I respect my rules and my tradition and this is what I show in my dishes.
Some people think like me. This is why you will see that they’re doing some genuine Italian food.
Some others don’t, but that’s good because it gives variety and everybody does what they want.
I like to keep the spirit up and carry on with what I’m doing because by the look of it, it looks like I’m doing something good.
I’ve been in Shrewsbury for almost 14 years and I wasn’t planning on staying here this long, to be fair.
My plan was to stay in the UK for a couple of years, then learn the language and a bit more about the food.
Then move to Spain, learn the language and food and move to France and to Germany.
And after eight years, go back home and open a restaurant.
What happened? I fell in love with Shrewsbury and I decided to open the restaurant in 2018.
2018 was nice. I took over a place which was called Paolo’s.
Unfortunately in 2021 we got flooded very badly and we were out of business for 18 months.
Then we reopened here in 2022 and since that day, I’m literally spending my life here 24-7 in this place.
I treat this like my baby and I’m proud I am because I’m trying to do the best.
And I want to show everybody what proper Italian food looks and tastes like.
And slowly, slowly, people will understand. Hopefully.
Read our reviews
Our new favourite restaurant in Shrewsbury!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Osteria. We had the sharing starter which was literally overflowing with deliciousness. We couldn’t eat it all and didn’t want to fill up before the main course so accepted the offer of the rest being boxed up to take home. I enjoyed Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare with so many mussels, it was a feast! My husband had the Vibo Valentia with garlic bread. The depth of flavour of everything we ate was immense. We kind of stumbled across Osteria and didn’t really know what to expect, but based last night’s meal and the friendly atmosphere, we’ll definitely go back! It’s well worth a visit.
Becky M
November 2023
Can’t believe this wonderful authentic Italian restaurant is in Shrewsbury
This is the 2nd time we have been here in a week. We were so impressed with the service and the food was exceptional. The staff were a delight especially Owen with his cheeky wit and the Chef came out to speak with us personally about a question on one of the dishes. We could tell he was very passionate about about his wonderful skill. We shared some starters and had the award winning pork belly dish which was absolutely wonderful. We have booked again with some more friends and will be regulars from now on. Also the only restaurant my mother fully enjoyed for a long time.
Mandy B
October 2023
Fantastic food and excellent service
I have dined with my wife at Osteria on several occasions once in December 2022 and again on 14th February 2023 and again 2 weeks ago My wife has a serious medical condition and has to be very careful about what she eats. The staff at Osteria were very helpful and considerate of my wife’s needs. After explaining the situation to a member of staff , the chef came over to us and discussed the food available and what was suitable for my wife. Also what adaptions could be made to other food to make it safe for her. This was very good and made the whole experience very relaxing and enjoyable for us both. The food was excellent, as was the . I would very strongly recommend Osteria to anyone.
Tour33896870025
February 2023