22-12-2015

From the Ambassador to MasterChef

Danilo Cortellini, chef of the italian Embassy in London, is a finalist on the english tv show

After several experiences in prestigious restauran

After several experiences in prestigious restaurants, since 2012 Danilo Cortellini is the chef of the Italian Ambassador in London, Pasquale Terracciano. Now he's also a finalist in the English version of MasterChef reserved to professional cooks 

It almost felt like watching a World Cup match, nail biting minutes towards the end. Italy, Scotland and England battling for a place in the final. Yes, three countries because we are not talking about football, but actually about the BBC programme MasterChef: The Professionals (for contestants already working in the food industry) and this year there is an Italian fighting for the title.

Danilo Cortellini, 30 years old, is Head Chef at the Italian embassy in London, where he took up such a position after stints in well known restaurants of the capital (Dolada, Ducasse, Zafferano). Without any trace of smugness and with gentle demeanour, he immediately caught the judges' attention (presenter Gregg Wallace and chefs Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing) with his food, an Italian soul with a modern twist.

Italian tradition is in fact the background upon which he creates intriguing dishes that, in the judges' view, should not event work. But work they do, and thus Danilo has reached Finals Week, not an easy feat also considering the calibre of his opponents. He surprised with an improvised caprese cake, a pickled mackerel with mozzarella sauce and a dish of lamb with liquorice sauce and bread balls which lifted him straight into the finals.

Danilo Cortellini's dishes at the embassy: Guancialino alla pizzaiola (photo: Federica Orrù)

Danilo Cortellini's dishes at the embassy: Guancialino alla pizzaiola (photo: Federica Orrù)

The well deserved praises he received for his food almost took him by surprise. Danilo was born in Alba Adriatica, in the Abruzzo region and after catering college gained experience in places such as San Domenico in Imola. The young chef never forgets Italian and regional traditions, even in the unusual dishes we've seen on the show.

His forte is hand made pasta, never however in its classic form. We meet up with him in the magnificent settings of our embassy, the day after the semifinals'  episode was broadcast; in person he's friendly and has none of the arrogance that could come with the newly found fame.

We ask him why MasterChef: The Professionals. He explains that it is not only a way of challenging himself professionally but also the desire to promote the embassy and the work he does there - as an official representative, shall we say, of our food heritage. Is he planning to have his own restaurant one day, perhaps in his native Abruzzo? «It is not yet the time to go back to Italy, I feel I still have plenty to do here» - he tells us.

And to showcase even further our diverse culinary heritage, he's planning a series of pop ups where he will cook with rising stars of the Italian food scene. This way, those who got to know him via the small screen will finally be able to try his food.

Danilo Cortellini's dishes at the embassy: Aubergine risotto with mackerel and burrata (photo: Federica Orrù)

Danilo Cortellini's dishes at the embassy: Aubergine risotto with mackerel and burrata (photo: Federica Orrù)

Danilo runs a catering business alongside his job at the embassy (and he's currently swamped by requests), but it is with these events that he will have a chance to reach the wider public and build a name for himself in the industry. We are curious to know what will be on the ambassador's Christmas table.

Tradition, of course: Italian (spaghetti with clams, salt baked sea bass), Neapolitan (struffoli dessert) but also British, with roast turkey and all the trimmings. MasterChef: The Professionals: The Final Week starts Tuesday 22 December, 8pm, BBC Two.


Dal Mondo

Reviews, recommendations and trends from the four corners of the planet, signed by all the authors of Identità Golose

by

Federica Carr

A British citizen from Naples, obsessive scuba diver, digital marketing manager Monday to Friday, foodie at any given time

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