Chef Davide Sessa From Europe to Bali

Some culinary stories begin in a restaurant kitchen. For Italian chef Davide Sessa, his began at home, surrounded by the flavours and traditions of his Italian family. Now, after nearly a decade of building his career across Europe and Asia, Chef Davide has arrived in Bali for his next chapter, joining Cucina, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort as its new Chef de Cuisine.

Born in Berlin to an Italian family, Chef Davide grew up with the flavours and traditions of Italy at home, learning to cook from his mother, the person he considers his first and most important teacher when it comes to Italian food. That early connection stayed with him as he began his professional career, even as his path took him into international hotel kitchens and different culinary environments around the world.

His professional journey began at Grand Hyatt Berlin in 2012. A year later, he moved to Switzerland and joined Park Hyatt Zurich as a Commis Chef. What followed was a steady progression through the kitchen ranks, from Chef de Partie to Sous Chef, as he took on greater responsibility for teams, menus and daily operations.

Along the way, Chef Davide learned that good cooking is only one part of running a successful kitchen. His experience has also shaped his approach to ingredients, consistency, menu development, food costs, team leadership and the discipline required to deliver quality day after day.

In 2023, he moved to Grand Hyatt Jeju-do in South Korea as Sous Chef, where he experienced a new culinary culture while leading kitchen operations and developing menus. In 2025, he returned to Zurich as Sous Chef at Hyatt Place Zurich, continuing to oversee the kitchen team, menus and daily operations.

Each destination added another layer to his culinary perspective, from the precision of Swiss hospitality to the energy of South Korea and the international environment of large hotel kitchens.

Now, Bali becomes the latest chapter.

At Cucina, Chef Davide brings together those experiences with the Italian flavours that have always been close to him. His approach is rooted in traditional Italian cooking, quality ingredients and the belief that good food does not need to be complicated to be memorable. At the same time, his international background gives him the freedom to keep exploring, adapting and finding new ways to connect with guests through food.

It is also a new beginning beyond the kitchen. Chef Davide has arrived in Bali with his wife, ready to discover a different pace of life, a new culture and the culinary traditions of the island he will now call home.

“I am very happy to begin this new chapter in Bali and to join the team at Cucina. Italian food has always been a part of my life, and I am excited to bring that connection to the restaurant while continuing to learn and grow in a new environment. Bali has such a rich food culture, and I look forward to discovering it and becoming part of it,” said Chef Davide Sessa.

From Berlin to Zurich, Jeju-do and now Bali, Chef Davide’s journey has been shaped by different kitchens, cultures and people. At Cucina, he brings those experiences to the table, together with the flavours of home that started it all.

Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
ITDC Tourism Complex, Jl. Nusa Dua Lot N5, Badung, Bali
Phone: +62 361 8492888
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