Hailing from Naples, Italy, Simone is a familiar face at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
On World Pizza Day 2024, we reached out to Simone De Vivo, who has resided in the capital since 2019.
A familiar face at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers where he works as an Executive Sous Chef at S O L E restaurant, Simone loves the safety and security of this great city.
Here’s your chance to step into the world of Abu Dhabi through Simone’s experiences.
Tell us a little bit of yourself
My name is Simone De Vivo and I am originally from Naples, Italy. Working in the city of Naples from an early age, I consider myself to be a very passionate and self-motivated individual who is extremely confident and dedicated to my career as a chef, which has given me lots of personal and professional satisfaction throughout the years.
How and when did you move here, and what inspired the move?
I moved to the UAE in 2019 and I was inspired by the quality of life, and hotel life, that Abu Dhabi has to offer.
How has living in Abu Dhabi shaped your sense of belonging and community?
Abu Dhabi is a city that spoils you in a good way, which consequently, gives you a chance to enjoy life to the fullest. I feel lucky to call this amazing city home.
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Can you tell us about a particular person in Abu Dhabi who has had a significant impact on your life and why?
I encounter many people in this great city every day and all of them in some way or other have had an impact on my life. That said, I am very much a self-motivated individual and I myself create positive impacts on my life.
What is your favourite thing about the emirate and why?
The safety and security, and the quality of life over all, such as the quality of education and the hospitality found in this city.
A myth about Abu Dhabi that you would like to bust
Many people believe that Abu Dhabi is a boring city in comparison to Dubai, but my family and I really enjoy it here. We can participate in many events and entertainment attractions that the city has to offer.
Could you share a memorable moment when you felt the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Abu Dhabi community in your own life?
A few months after my family had joined me in the UAE, my daughter lost a bracelet. While it was not extremely valuable financially, it had a lot of sentimental value. We went back to the place where we had lost the bracelet many hours later and regardless of the busy time of the day, it was in the exact spot where she had lost it. This made us understand how civilized the people living in this beautiful city are.
To read more stories from Abu Dhabi people, visit Yalla Abu Dhabi
