Roberto Chelo was born on November 27th, 1959, in Padria, in the province of Sassari in Sardinia, the fifth of six children of Antonio Chelo and Maria Pasqua Manca. From an early age, Roberto showed a deep connection to his roots, often preferring to accompany his father to the fields rather than focus on school studies. His father served as a role model, and Roberto inherited his values, including a love for work and respect for the land. He proudly described himself as “a shepherd turned restaurateur,” never forgetting his humble and authentic origins.
At only nine years old, his life was marked by his mother’s stroke, which required a lengthy recovery. During this time, his older sister Paolina took care of her five younger brothers. Despite the challenges, the mother continued to keep the family spirit alive, managing the home and in the summer even welcoming all the relatives who had emigrated, always able to offer a set table and a warm meal. From her, Roberto inherited a love for cooking, a passion he would pass on to his own family years later.
The premature loss of his mother in 1980 and his father only seven years later forced him to become strong and independent at a young age. His first summer job was on the beach at Bosa, where he worked as a lifeguard and helped rent paddle boats.
Roberto’s youth was marked by his great passion for football. He was the youngest to be join Padria’s football team and, years later, the oldest to retire. Wearing the number 10 jersey, he played as a forward and captained the team for many years. Meanwhile, Padria became one of the first towns in Sardinia with a tennis court, and Roberto was one of its most enthusiastic players. His love for tennis accompanied him until the end, and the legendary double mixed matches with friends brought him many moments of lightheartedness and joy.
After completing high school at Macomer in 1978, he began working as a commis at the Hotel Roccaruja in Stintino, where he soon discovered a natural talent for hospitality and decided to pursue a career in the hotel sector.
The following years were nomadic. In November 1984, he moved to London, where he matured his skills and developed a deep appreciation for different cultures, languages, and world cuisines. He worked at the prestigious private club “White Elephant on the River” and Annabel’s, where he quickly took on a position of responsibility. Alongside his work, he attended English school and hospitality courses to further enhance his expertise.
After two and a half years in the city, he returned to his beloved Sardinia, starting work at the Hotel Cervo in Costa Smeralda, where he would keep returning for several seasons. The summer of 1990, spent at La Fattoria Restaurant in Porto Cervo, was a carefree time, leading to deep friendships destined to last a lifetime. In 1991, he took care of the opening-up of Hotel Le Rose in San Teodoro, and the following year he joined Hotel Due Lune, where he could fully express the hospitality experience he had gained until then. With passion and dedication, he managed the hotel restaurant, leading his team with grace and natural authority.
During these years, Roberto alternated summer seasons in Sardinia with winter seasons in the mountains. After a winter in La Thuile, where he struggled with the harsh climate, he moved to the prestigious Palace Hotel Gstaad, an iconic resort in the Swiss Alps. It was during the winter of 1993/94 that, just as his family had accepted the idea that Roberto would remain single, he fell in love with Claudia Schletti, a colleague at the Palace. In the spring of 1995, he asked her to leave her job in Switzerland to join him for the summer season at Hotel Due Lune in Puntaldìa. Their partnership flourished, with Roberto managing the restaurant and Claudia managing reception. Together, they quickly became a pillar of support for their discerning international clientele. In their personal lives too, the young couple created a solid relationship based on a deep respect, collaboration, and a love that only grew stronger over time.
During these years, Roberto and Claudia also discovered a shared passion for traveling. Instead of returning to Gstaad for the winter season, they decided to backpack around the world. Their first major journey, lasting three months, took them through Central America, traveling across Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
The following winter, they ventured to Nepal, where they undertook long hikes among the majestic Himalayan peaks before moving on to northern India. It was during this trip to India that Roberto began to dream of opening his own business. On their return, in March 1999, he found the perfect place to make his dream a reality: Il Portolano.
Roberto successfully negotiated with the property owners, who entrusted him with the management. Just two months later, on May 1st, 1999, Il Portolano opened its doors under Roberto’s leadership, joined by Claudia and two chefs. The early days were slow, but with perseverance, and humility, Roberto and Claudia continued on their path. The season ended with modest success, enough to convince them to renew the lease and devote themselves fully to the project. They decided to buy a small house in Porto San Paolo, making it their permanent home.
Around this time, Roberto also felt the desire to start a family. On March 1st, 2001, he and Claudia got married in the town of Zweisimmen, Claudia’s hometown, and just a few days later, on March 15th, their first daughter, Chiara, was born. In November 2003, with the arrival of Julia, the family was complete.
Roberto and Claudia soon found a perfect balance between family life and work, sharing responsibilities both at the restaurant and at home. Roberto was a loving father, deeply present in his daughters’ lives. He created a peaceful, secure environment for them and accompanied them on their adventures: long swims in the clear waters of Sardinia, first skiing trips in the winter mountains. Always ready with fascinating stories, Roberto nurtured their imaginations, passing on the values he had inherited from his own family. Over the years, his role as a father evolved. From a playmate and adventure buddy, he became a trusted confidant, bringing a calming presence and gentle wisdom that made conversations with him especially meaningful.
At Il Portolano, the seasons passed, one after another, and Roberto and Claudia fully immersed themselves in their roles as restaurateurs. Slowly, their vision of hospitality came to life. They paid attention to every detail, transforming the restaurant into a place of connection and harmony, where every guest felt welcome. Over the years, various nieces and nephews, and later their daughters, joined the team, becoming part of this vision. Family ties enriched the environment with a special warmth, creating a welcoming, family-like atmosphere that became one of Il Portolano’s defining features.
Until 2013, the family spent winters in Switzerland at Claudia’s parents’ home, celebrating Christmas there until mid-March. For the first three years, Roberto continued to work seasonally at the Palace in Gstaad, but he eventually decided to dedicate more time to his family and the pleasures of life. Through Claudia’s family, Roberto discovered a new passion: skiing. With her as his teacher, he quickly became an avid skier, taking to the slopes with enthusiasm. His father-in-law praised him: “Swiss speed, Sardinian style!” Away from the restaurant, Roberto found relaxation in cooking for his family, savoring good food paired with a glass of wine, and spending quiet evenings by the fireplace with a book in hand. These simple pleasures, enjoyed among the mountains, rejuvenated him, enabling him to return to Il Portolano each spring with renewed passion and energy.
A major milestone for Il Portolano, and consequently for Roberto, came in 2012 when, after years of waiting, they received the long-desired permit to expand the kitchen. The modern, fully equipped kitchen provided a comfortable working environment, allowing Roberto’s vision for Il Portolano to gradually come to fruition. Guests returned year after year, becoming regulars and friends, and new guests joined. By now, Il Portolano had become a beloved spot in Porto San Paolo, a place where locals and national and international visitors alike felt at ease, enjoying moments of beauty and serenity. Roberto greeted everyone with his unmistakable smile and natural elegance, making each guest feel at home. He was a dedicated teacher and an inspiring motivator for his team, instilling in them the seriousness and love of work he held as essential values.
In January 2017, Roberto received a challenging diagnosis: a tumor at the base of his tongue. He faced this challenge resolutely, choosing to undergo treatment at San Raffaele in Milan, where he completed six cycles of radiotherapy along with chemotherapy. Thanks to medical care, his strong spirit, and his family’s love, Roberto overcame the illness, regaining strength and energy.
As his health improved, he chose to dedicate more time to himself, his well-being, and his family. During this period, he called back his nephew Mario, who, after learning the trade at Il Portolano, had gone to Switzerland to gain valuable experience at Lausanne’s Grand Hotels. Mario eagerly accepted his uncle’s offer, returning to Sardinia to become manager. His presence lightened Roberto and Claudia’s workload, allowing Roberto to focus more on his health and time with his loved ones.
After COVID, Roberto faced new health challenges, partly caused by the radiation received during treatment. Due to dysphagia, he suffered from repeated pneumonias. On 27 November 2023, the day of his 64th birthday, he was placed a PEG probe for direct nutrition in the stomach. This was a tough challenge for a restaurateur who loved to enjoy a good sip of wine and enjoyed the pleasures of sitting at the dinner table.
Roberto faced his new condition with great dignity. Unfortunately, the new diet did not lead to a significant improvement in his health. In the year that followed, he still got hospitalized twice for pneumonia. All while having to deal with other unexplained conditions. His young and alert spirit was imprisoned in a sick body.
While with friends and guests at Portolano he always presented himself smiling and positive, Roberto prepared in silence for his passage. In April, he decided to turn his one-man business into a company, putting Claudia in charge and involving their nephew Mario as a partner, ensuring that his mission could continue to flourish. He congratulated his daughters and gave them his blessing, and thanked Claudia for the shared life and success of what they have built together. In difficult moments, such as those related to Roberto’s illness, Claudia was particularly close to him, caring for him with immaculate love. This deep bond, based on trust and understanding, has illuminated both, the most difficult moments and the most beautiful adventures. Roberto returned to Padria one last time to say goodbye to his home town and sought deep dialogues with the friends who have accompanied him over the years.
On September 14th his heart stopped, Roberto passed away with serenity, at peace with himself and with his earthly life.
Porto San Paolo, October 2024
