Being Zilli: My Autobiography - Tapa dura

How does a boy from a poor farmhouse in the Italian mountains end up running one of London's most popular restaurants?How does he get to count among his friends and customers Freddie Mercury, George Michael, Prince Edward, Denise Van Outen, Cat Deeley and Holly Valance?How does he learn to cook in a kitchen with no electricity or running water - and end up serving royalty and all of the biggest names in Hollywood?Aldo Zilli's extraordinary journey is an inspiration to anyone who wants to change their life and follow their dreams.Leaving home at just 15, Aldo dealt with predatory hotel bosses and repeated beatings from violent chefs across Europe. He survived homelessness and hunger - and by the time he was 26 he had overcome the Soho mafia and was running his own Italian restaurant in England.With endless enthusiasm, charm and good humour, Aldo transformed the way London restaurants were run - and soon had every major celebrity flocking to his doors. But away from the glamour and the high life Aldo has also faced terrible private tragedies. He has survived prison, divorce, health scares and financial collapse. Today, newly slim after Celebrity Fit Club and fronting a new series of cookery shows, Aldo is a happily married, hands-on father determined to work hard and carry on living life to the full. He is also as irrepressible and mischievous as ever. This is his hilarious, heart-warming story.

Aldo Zilli is chef and owner of Zilli restaurants in Soho. His gongs include the 1996 Best Italian Restaurant in the London Restaurant Awards, 1998 Best Media Restaurant and in 2006 he had the Best Cafe. He has also won Favourite Showbiz Restaurant for in Capital Radio's awards. Television work includes Dinner Dates, One Man and his Hob, Perfect Pasta with Aldo Zilli, Aldo's Italian Job and Aldo and Friends. His guest appearances include Food and Drink, The Weakest Link, The Vanessa Show, Light Lunch, and Saturday Kitchen. He is a frequent contributor to various radio shows.