Top Italian Chefs Philly & Nicola need help
Donation protected
Top Italian chefs and husband & wife team, Philly d'Uva & Nicola Attianese made the ultimate sacrifice leaving their 4 children behind in Italy with their Nonna, to try to make a better life for their young family in Belfast, Northern Ireland where they were employed as Head Chef and Sous Chef at NI's very first truly authentic Italian Restaurant. They arrived in a foreign country in January 2019, full of hopes and dreams for their new life here. The business they worked for promised them a big future here and helped with less than half of their monthly rent on a townhouse (but the tenancy agreement is in the Company name) in a good area for schools where their children are registered to begin their education in September 2019
After working so hard all hours for the new restaurant, this talented husband and wife team and their kitchen brigade, built a real success for the owners. The top food critic in Northern Ireland soon became a real fan and published two in depth articles about them in the national newspaper. Word began to spread about their fantastic authentic Italian cuisine, and top influencers and businesses in the country soon became regular guests.
Everything seemed so perfect and in late July 2019, they were excited to be able to fly back to Italy to bring their babies back to Belfast to join them ready to start school in September. After spending around £2,000 for flights and luggage to get everyone back home, the couple returned to work at the restaurant and requested the two weeks salary that by then was due, having been promised this by the owners when they returned. Having incurred great expense to relocate their family, they badly needed their salaries even just to buy food for the family for the weekend.
What happened next was shocking, upsetting and a horrific injustice for this young family. The restaurant owner reported that they were unable to pay them and would have to wait. When they said that they couldn't wait, the owner exploded violently and tried to attack Philly threatening to kill her and demanding a knife from the kitchen to cut off her head. He had to be physically restrained by other staff, otherwise she has no doubt that she would have been harmed physically. He then started to verbally abuse her children, saying they were bad just like her and said they were all gay!!! This would be horrific even to witness but to be on the receiving end of such an assault, left both Philly and Nicola very shaken and deeply upset.
Having arrived back to Belfast, after moving their entire family here in hope and trust in their employer, suddenly they were left here without work and the vital income they needed to build their life here. The restaurant still owes them their final two weeks salary and so far have indicated that this will not be paid.
Also with the tenancy agreement on their home here being in the name of the restaurant, the landlord has asked the owner to transfer the contract to their name instead, so that they can stay in the home they had built for their kids. The restaurant owner insists that the rental deposit must be returned to him knowing that the couple had paid the money to him for the deposit and that they need to pay it to the landlord for the new tenancy agreement in their name.
So in the face of their dreams of a new life in a new country suddenly coming crashing to the ground, the couple meanwhile are taking temporary jobs very far below their skill levels just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. They have also offered themselves for private in home catering and received one booking so far.
Their dream now is to start their own restaurant in the heart of the busiest area of Belfast City Centre - the Cathedral Quarter, where they want to open their own vision of a truly authentic Italian restaurant, bringing in their own very special ingredients from Italy.
They don't know many people here, so we want to spread the word as widely as possible for them through our own network and your networks, that this family really badly needs and deserves your help and they will then also then deliver something very special and unique for the City of Belfast that you can go and enjoy.
Whether you can help with £10, £20, £50, £100 or more, this family will be forever greatful. Once they open their restaurant, they will ensure they repay your contribution in food or a few free glasses of wine at their new venue.
Personally we would love to see their vision of an authentic Italian restaurant come to life here. We believe that in the location they have identified, the restaurant will be an immediate success. They have the support of influential media figures to help drive customers, as well as influential customers who will certainly be regulars at their new place.
All they need is a break and this initial capital will help them to get started in rebuilding their lives and their dream. Please do all you can to help this very hard working and deserving couple.
After working so hard all hours for the new restaurant, this talented husband and wife team and their kitchen brigade, built a real success for the owners. The top food critic in Northern Ireland soon became a real fan and published two in depth articles about them in the national newspaper. Word began to spread about their fantastic authentic Italian cuisine, and top influencers and businesses in the country soon became regular guests.
Everything seemed so perfect and in late July 2019, they were excited to be able to fly back to Italy to bring their babies back to Belfast to join them ready to start school in September. After spending around £2,000 for flights and luggage to get everyone back home, the couple returned to work at the restaurant and requested the two weeks salary that by then was due, having been promised this by the owners when they returned. Having incurred great expense to relocate their family, they badly needed their salaries even just to buy food for the family for the weekend.
What happened next was shocking, upsetting and a horrific injustice for this young family. The restaurant owner reported that they were unable to pay them and would have to wait. When they said that they couldn't wait, the owner exploded violently and tried to attack Philly threatening to kill her and demanding a knife from the kitchen to cut off her head. He had to be physically restrained by other staff, otherwise she has no doubt that she would have been harmed physically. He then started to verbally abuse her children, saying they were bad just like her and said they were all gay!!! This would be horrific even to witness but to be on the receiving end of such an assault, left both Philly and Nicola very shaken and deeply upset.
Having arrived back to Belfast, after moving their entire family here in hope and trust in their employer, suddenly they were left here without work and the vital income they needed to build their life here. The restaurant still owes them their final two weeks salary and so far have indicated that this will not be paid.
Also with the tenancy agreement on their home here being in the name of the restaurant, the landlord has asked the owner to transfer the contract to their name instead, so that they can stay in the home they had built for their kids. The restaurant owner insists that the rental deposit must be returned to him knowing that the couple had paid the money to him for the deposit and that they need to pay it to the landlord for the new tenancy agreement in their name.
So in the face of their dreams of a new life in a new country suddenly coming crashing to the ground, the couple meanwhile are taking temporary jobs very far below their skill levels just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. They have also offered themselves for private in home catering and received one booking so far.
Their dream now is to start their own restaurant in the heart of the busiest area of Belfast City Centre - the Cathedral Quarter, where they want to open their own vision of a truly authentic Italian restaurant, bringing in their own very special ingredients from Italy.
They don't know many people here, so we want to spread the word as widely as possible for them through our own network and your networks, that this family really badly needs and deserves your help and they will then also then deliver something very special and unique for the City of Belfast that you can go and enjoy.
Whether you can help with £10, £20, £50, £100 or more, this family will be forever greatful. Once they open their restaurant, they will ensure they repay your contribution in food or a few free glasses of wine at their new venue.
Personally we would love to see their vision of an authentic Italian restaurant come to life here. We believe that in the location they have identified, the restaurant will be an immediate success. They have the support of influential media figures to help drive customers, as well as influential customers who will certainly be regulars at their new place.
All they need is a break and this initial capital will help them to get started in rebuilding their lives and their dream. Please do all you can to help this very hard working and deserving couple.
Organizer and beneficiary
Valerie McArthur
Organizer
Filomena D'Uva
Beneficiary
