Located in the former Archiepiscopal Seminary, in the heart of Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral, Portrait Milano breathes new life into one of the city’s most significant historic buildings. Behind its 17th-century colonnade, 73 rooms and suites combine the privacy of a refined Milanese residence with a vibrant urban destination for dining, shopping, wellness and culture, centred around the hotel’s iconic piazza. A place that embodies Italian style, craftsmanship and a contemporary vision of hospitality.
Executive Pastry Chef
Cesare Murzilli
Born in 1985, Cesare Murzilli decided to devote himself fully to pastry, his greatest passion, after completing his university studies.
He honed his skills in the kitchens of some of Italy’s finest restaurants, including Osteria Arbustico*, Metamorfosi* in Rome and Joia*, a vegetarian restaurant in Milan. Driven by a constant desire to improve, he worked alongside several master pastry chefs, including Denis Dianin, further refining his craft.
In 2018, his meeting with pastry world champion Emmanuele Forcone marked a turning point in his career. Their collaboration took him around the world, working alongside Forcone on training and consulting projects in Italy and abroad. Together, they also developed several initiatives, including Pastry Video Book, an online learning platform entirely dedicated to pastry.
In December 2021, he joined W Rome as Head Pastry Chef. Since September 2022, he has been collaborating with Portrait Milano, where he currently serves as Corporate Executive Pastry Chef.
He is a brand ambassador for several companies in the sector, including Molino Pasini, Pavoni and 1895 by Lavazza, and works closely with industry partners such as Carpigiani, Brita and Agrimontana, among others.
In 2024, he received the award for Italy’s Best Hotel Breakfast, a distinction he retained in 2025. He was also recognised among the top pastry chefs in the 2025 Gambero Rosso Guide.
In addition to his work as an international consultant and pastry instructor, he is a member of the Italian Academy of Master Pastry Chefs (AMPI).
