05-09-2014
The 5 protagonists of Stelle di Stelle, lunches and dinners will be hosted in the restaurant on the lower ground floor of Harrods, in London, from this month until January 2015, one chef per month. Left to right, Carlo Cracco of Cracco in Milan (September) Annie Feolde of Enoteca Pinchiorri (December), Enrico Cerea of Da Vittorio in Brusaporto (October), Enrico Crippa of Piazza Duomo in Alba (January) and Gennaro Esposito of Torre del Saracino in Vico Equense (November)
The risk is that of getting distracted by the precious products in Harrods, the endless mythological shopping area in the centre of London. But at some point you very happily find your way towards the destination that is most at heart: the lower ground floor, down the escalators from the luxury watch department, right beyond Ladurée. These are the headquarters of the #stelledistelle restaurant, which yesterday was rushed by British journalists, who were eager to take photos of the 5 Italian chefs, a total of 13 Michelin stars, who every day, at lunchtime and dinner, will illuminate the taste of the Great Italy in Knightsbridge for 5 months.
Paolo Marchi and Michael Ward, managing director at Harrods
Over to Paolo Marchi: «For the second year, we’re guests at Harrods and for us this is an excellent demonstration of trust. Thanks to the protagonists of this year, from Carlo Cracco to Chicco Cerea, who has a restaurant close to the airport in Bergamo, so it is easy to reach», he jokes, «to Gennaro Esposito, so big he contains two restaurants, one in Sorrento’s Peninsula and one in Capri. Annie Feolde, the only woman in the world who has managed to have 3 Michelin stars and then have them back, and Enrico Crippa. Thanks to all the sponsors who allow us to organise important days like this: Expo Milano, Grana Padano, Acqua Panna e S.Pellegrino, Lavazza, Birra Moretti, Cantine Ferrari, Molino Quaglia, Villa Sparina, Ottosoldi and Consorzio Prosciutto di Parma. And thanks to the Italian ambassador in London, Pasquale Terracciano, for participating with us today».
The entire neighbourhood around Harrods is covered from wall to wall with posters highlighting the event
Enrico Crippa is another fan of the Australian chef who chased vandals away with baseball bats: «I arrived here for a dinner with 4 hands before the latest 50Best. He’s a great chef who understands the meaning of the seasons, in a town that has such a large offer that you can feel disoriented. I adore it and I’m so happy to see so many bicycles all around». He’s an experienced cycler.
A detail of the Stelle di Stelle restaurant
No one, however, beats the story told by Madame Annie Feolde: «I set foot on London for the first time in 1968. From here I observed the protests of the young people in Paris. I had arrived to learn English. I was chosen as an au pair by an old couple and I only had to look after their dog every now and then. I always appreciated the English wit». How about the food? «I remember a fun establishment called the Swiss Centre, in Trafalgar. They made Swiss, French, Italian and German dishes. But one could not say that at that time there was any sort of serious cuisine in London. 46 years later, many things have changed». Not the prestige enjoyed by Enoteca Pinchiorri, though, on one side and the other of the Channel.
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by
born in Milan, 1973, freelance journalist, coordinator of Identità Golose World restaurant guidebook since 2007, he is a contributor for several magazines and teaches History of gastronomy and Culinary global trends into universities and institutes. twitter @gabrielezanatt instagram @gabrielezanatt