22-12-2015
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: Aubergine risotto with mackerel and burrata (photo: Federica Orrù)
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A British citizen from Naples, obsessive scuba diver, digital marketing manager Monday to Friday, foodie at any given time