Born in Calabria in southern Italy, Chef Manuel Panfili grew up surrounded by food, family and hands-on work. His earliest memories include cutting bread and washing dishes in his family’s restaurant, as well as helping on the family farm, where daily tasks — from planting tomatoes to bringing in the harvest by horseback — were done by hand.
After graduating from culinary school in 1999, he left Italy to broaden his experience internationally, working in countries including Japan, France and the United States. During his time in France, he began to see cooking not only as a profession, but as an art form — one that brings together technique, creativity and care for both the eyes and the palate.
A Maestro di Cucina, Chef Panfili brings nearly 30 years of culinary experience to the classroom. His career includes leadership roles in Michelin-rated restaurants in Italy, as Culinary Operations Manager for Starbelly Group and Lina’s Italian Market in Calgary, and chef at Azuridge Hotel in Priddis.
Chef Panfili joined SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism in December 2022, inspired by the opportunity to share his knowledge with the next generation of culinary professionals. He sees today’s industry as more collaborative than ever and brings that same spirit of openness, curiosity and creativity to his teaching.
In every class, his goal is for students to leave with something meaningful from the day’s lesson — whether it is a new skill, a fresh perspective or a deeper appreciation for the craft. For Chef Panfili, the greatest reward is watching students’ confidence grow as they discover their own curiosity, discipline and passion for the culinary industry.
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SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.