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Xin Ge Liu has fashionably redefined Chinese cuisine in Florence. With origins in fashion design, the chef’s kitchen remains just as bold as her closet.
Photos by Valerie Tiscareno @tiscareno_photos
“Even though I came here for fashion design, I really love the kitchen and the culinary fusion. So I decided to transform the idea from fashion to kitchen.”
A chic tan button-up dress would not ordinarily turn heads or make much of a fashion statement. However, like Xin Ge, her dress’s buttons were far from ordinary. Instead of plastic buttons blending in with the dress, Liu’s outfit boasted bloom-like buttons that resembled pink tulips adorning bright green leaves. The pink petals perfectly complemented her blush bob. Even without knowing anything about the well-dressed woman with the blush bob, it becomes obvious that she has some sort of fashion expertise.
Born and raised in Northern China, Xin Ge nurtured a passion for fashion growing up. From playing dress-up with Barbies to creating doll-sized outfits, Liu decided that this was the career path she wanted to pursue. When she moved to Florence, the culinary world was not on her radar. The emerging Chinese chef originally moved to Italy to pursue fashion at Florence’s renowned fashion school, Polimoda.
During her studies, Liu rediscovered her passion for cooking and felt like this was something she was now called to pursue. While cooking, let alone opening her own restaurant, may not have been on the agenda, Liu handled the experience with charm and grace.
Despite the redirection in her career path, Liu was not entirely new to culinary culture. Before moving to Florence, Liu grew up cooking alongside her grandmother.
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Il Gusto di XinGe serves as a testament to both the taste and talent of Liu. Opened in January of 2023, the vibrant restaurant transports one from Florence to China, taking taste buds on a delectable journey across the globe. Highlighting its culinary excellence, “Il Gusto di XinGe” was included in the prestigious Michelin Guide last May.
Bright blue tables juxtaposed against warm brown walls catch guests’ eyes as soon as they walk through the doors of Liu’s restaurant. Ceramic vases with branch-like floral arrangements provide a stylish element that allows her fashion background and expertise to shine through the collection of choreographed chairs and tables.
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“I’m cooking for experience, and when I talk about that, I think it’s more about lifestyle because you can find a very nice restaurant [with] good food, but I won’t see anything more. So behind our dishes is storytelling, there is identity, and there is also design. I want to transform my ideas for our customers and that’s the whole point of what I do.”
Xin Ge’s story is one of passion. Listening to her heart and experimenting with a new career path opened a whole new world for her. A world that she has now conquered and continues to fashionably take by storm. The opportunity to get a glimpse of this world in a brief interview was both an honor and an inspiration. The occasion was a special event in which she hosted Alex Frezza, founder of L’Antiquario in Naples, and Dario Tortorella, recently awarded as the Best Italian Bartender of 2024.
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“I think that’s so important to have this revolution from the culture, the kitchen, and the idea of just changing something, not focusing on classical Asian food.”
Xin Ge Liu’s journey from the fashion runways of Polimoda to the culinary spotlight in Florence is a testament to the power of passion and the courage to follow one’s heart. Her story encapsulates the essence of cultural fusion, where the world of haute couture seamlessly blends with the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine.
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