INTERVIEW
It was while working in Milan that he
saw the ad for waiters on the Orient
Express –and got the job partly because
he spoke French as well as Italian.
After five years on the iconic express
train, Nino was keen to learn English,
which was why he came to work at The
Savoy in 1954, combining long hours in
the restaurant with language lessons in
his free time.
Over the years he became a valued
member of the Grosvenor family estate
staff, ultimately overseeing the major
development of the Chester Savoy as
joint General Manager.
It was when the time came for a change
in the pace of his hectic life, that Nino
headed for the Isle of Wight, to run the
25-bedroom Yelfs Hotel with a staff of
10. As MD of the Forte-owned hotel, he
managed to turn it around to become
the best of 200 hotels for profitability.
But the long hours took their toll on his
family life, with him not getting home
until 10pm most nights.
So in 1984, he finally decided to launch
into business in his own right, and took
on the Bonchurch Inn as a family-run
pub. At that time his son Adrian was ten
and daughter Victoria was four – these
days the siblings are partners in the
business along with mum Gillian.
“The place was very dated but we hit
the floor running when we got here,” says
Adrian. “Dad was an Italian in an English
village pub, and not many people thought
it would work. It was difficult for a few
years, but we stuck at it”.
What visitors love is the typically warm,
Italian family atmosphere created by the
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www.visitilife.com
“Bar times were very
strict in those days
and I was just doing
my duty, but he
ended up throwing a
chair at me”
Besozzis – and no matter what new dishes
are featured on the menu, the handsdown favourites are always the classic
lasagne and cannelloni that Nino has
been making for years.
“Yes, our lasagne is known across the
Island,” laughs Adrian. In fact it’s so
popular that the family is planning to
sell it as a ready meal option at Friday
markets.
Meanwhile Nino continues to entertain
pub-goers and diners at the Bonchurch
Inn, with his colourful tales of high-end
hospitality and glamorous movie stars.
“Dad comes from an age when you
spent time with people, not the quick,
profit-driven approach we see today.
“People love it when he’s in the bar
- especially those in their 60s who
remember him from the Yelf’s days. They
always have plenty to talk about!