Annarosa Carnovale, Restaurant Owner and Entrepreneur

3 Photos

by
on Friday, November 13, 2009 12:00 AM

So I hear you're the first Italian businesswoman in Shanghai, is this true?

Today is actually the 16-year anniversary of my being in China. I was the first female Italian entrepreneur in Shanghai. Really - I'm number one on the register. It's strange that before I came, I was working at Tatano's in Italy, which was the second biggest producer for movie production and distribution. Then, at the age of 41, I kissed my mother goodbye and came to China to start a headhunting and consulting business.

Headhunting? I thought you were in the restaurant business.

We started this chain 10 years ago when Chinese people thought pizza was American and came from Pizza Hut. My business partner and I couldn't stand by and watch this happen; we needed to fight against the big competitors and show the Chinese what pizza was really about.

At 41, people are usually settling in, why did you come to China?

You're right, maybe I'm too impulsive. Maybe I should have gotten married and had kids. But I'm a "the grass is greener on the other side" sort of person, and I smell change, like a witch. I saw the opportunity here before many people did. It happens in every part of my life. I was a red head for 20 years, but one day I told my hairdresser that I wanted to go white to anticipate my age. They thought I was nuts, but after a year, voila! The Devil Wears Prada came out and Miranda hair became all the rage. Maybe I should have been a fashion designer.

Speaking of fashion, I notice you wear a lot of cheetah print. Any reason?

I'm in love! I know it's not fashionable, it's a bit of a bitchy style to be honest, but I don't follow fashion; I mix things up by myself. My daughter (her puppy Allegra) also has a cheetah print winter dress to match me.

What do you do to enjoy Shanghai?

I'm in love with the street food. There's nothing better than noodle soup on the street. Come on it's the greatest thing in Shanghai!