At the helm

Alex Bellafronte, the 40-year-old global chief operating officer of the Aqua Restaurant Group is a seasoned restaurateur at the helm of a culinary empire that continues to expand its global footprint.

"I started when I was 14, so I've been doing this for over 25 years," Bellafronte shares. His journey in the world of food and hospitality began in Italy, working at a bar on the beach and gradually taking on more responsibilities at the university, where he started managing restaurants. Eventually, he opened his own restaurant with two partners.

His first interest was not in restaurant management, but his urge to write in English led him to pursue a career in journalism."At some point, I moved to London and was there for seven years," he says. However, his path took a turn back to the restaurant industry. "London was a game changer to me as I started in a small Italian place from scratch," Bellafronte recalls. "I left Italy and when I began my restaurant career in London, I had to go back to the beginning of washing the dishes, mopping the floor, and eventually work my way up."

After a year and a half, he became the manager of an Italian deli and restaurant in Chelsea. "From there, I decided I wanted to move to a more organized company," he explains. "I kept thinking: I know how to run a restaurant, but not in a structured way."

Bellafronte joined Aubaine as a restaurant manager for three years until one unexpected opportunity came by. "Gordon Ramsay approached me and by then I had done two restaurant openings in four months, worked 14 hours a day and lost about 13 pounds. But I've learned a lot, and that changed my career," he recalls.

Subsequently, he moved to Hong Kong in 2018 and began working with Aqua group in 2022, making 2024 his third year. As a global COO, Bellafronte is responsible for overseeing the operations of over 25 restaurants and bars under their umbrella.

The group boasts a diverse portfolio that features over six distinct cuisines, including brands like Aqua and Hutong, as well as The Chinese Library and Cantina, located in Hong Kong's historic Tai Kwun.

Beyond just restaurants and bars, the group operates Aqualuna - traditional red-sail Chinese junk boats, which are among the last remaining in Hong Kong, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience of the city from the harbor.

Despite the magnitude of his responsibilities, Bellafronte's approach to hospitality remains grounded in a simple yet profound philosophy: "Our business is first and foremost hospitality - by people, for people."

"I've never seen myself as an office-based manager," Bellafronte asserts. To him, having one management style is not ideal. "Our job is very much about working with the team and guests. You need to get the best performance of every single person that works with you," he says. "Of course, it's something that comes with years of experience and I was very strict with people when I was younger. In this line of business, I learned that you could be as good as you like, but if you don't have a great team, then you're not going anywhere."

The global food and beverages market is not without its challenges. He acknowledges that today's guests are more informed and demanding than ever before. "This constantly pushes us to raise the bar and deliver exceptional food and unforgettable experiences. I see this as a positive challenge keeping us motivated to go the extra mile every single day."

Aside from managing restaurants, Bellafronte loves football. "It's basically a second job. I was born in Torino so I support the Torino Football Club," he says. "I played in the youth team of Torino when I was 14. I participate in a lot of sports. Especially with the pressure we have in any type of job, I find that it's always important to let your stress and energy out.

"Football is a big thing for me," Bellafronte admits. "My friends and I started a team here three years ago and ever since, we train at least once a week every Saturday, which is very important to me."

As he proceeds to steer the Aqua group toward new horizons, his focus remains on growth, innovation and the unwavering commitment to hospitality. "My priority is to continue our growth and expansion into new markets."

With his visionary leadership and passion for the industry, the future looks bright for Bellafronte and the Aqua Restaurant Group.