Our philosophy
From the longstanding friendship between Giovanni and Giuseppe, the idea of creating Cortile Pantelleria was born, making it a truly special and original place. A spot where lifelong friends can gather in a welcoming and refined concept, where the lightheartedness and joy that characterize the best moments can be experienced.
This is why “Mediterranean Gathering” fully reflects the philosophy and essence of the project.
The chef
Describing himself as a ‘chef almost by chance,’ having graduated in accounting, Giovanni Lullo quickly realized that his future would indeed be in the culinary arts through dinners with friends and experiments in the kitchen. He then set off for Abruzzo to work at Casadonna Reale, a three-Michelin-star restaurant, before returning to Palermo to work at Ristorante Gagini and later contributing to the opening of Spazio in Rome. There, he took on the role of head of first courses and later moved to Riccione and London, ultimately ending up at the prestigious restaurant Cortile Pepe in Cefalù, where his true breakthrough occurred. At Cortile Pepe, he discovered flavours, colours, and refined creations, working alongside a young and dynamic team. Today, Giovanni is the chef-patron of Cortile Pantelleria, where he can finally bring his culinary ideas to life, shaped by years of experience around the world. He favors a cuisine that is simple yet refined, never ordinary, using unconventional cooking techniques, such as grilling to smoke pasta. Indeed, his signature dish on the menu is grilled spaghetti. The workhorse of his menu, in fact, the very spaghetti alla brace.
The Bar Manager
At the age of 19, he began his journey in the world of mixology at I Chiavettieri, a well-known nightlife spot in Palermo, gradually improving his skills and knowledge by attending master classes and training courses in Rome and Milan. Giuseppe Cali Cerri, bar manager and co-founder of Cortile Pantelleria, obtained his first Campari certification in Milan, followed by a brief trial period abroad in Leicester. There, he realized that his true home was in Sicily, in his beloved Palermo, so he returned and started collaborating with some of the city’s most important establishments, such as Nautoscopio, and developed a passion for the world of wine, eventually earning his first level sommelier certification. Throughout his journey, he met many people who helped him grow both personally and professionally, increasingly steering him toward an entrepreneurial vision of the industry. Today, Giuseppe, together with Giovanni, has fulfilled his dream of creating something of his own in his hometown, Palermo, by opening Cortile Pantelleria – Ritrovo Mediterraneo.
