Identità Naturali - Simone Salvini

For years now, Identità Naturali has been the space dedicated by Identità Golose to so-called natural cuisine: vegetarian, vegan, raw diet. That is to say to the trends that are changing our way of eating, both for health and ethical reasons, inducing us to make more aware and sustainable choices.
Until a few years ago – and today too, in the eyes of many, though they are completely wrong – these themes were inevitably matched with a slightly penitential diet, rich in benefits yet poor in taste. In other words, they recalled diets and sacrifices, instead of light delicacies and digestible pleasures.

Today’s event is with Simone Salvini, born in Florence in 1969 and a vegetarian for over 20 years. He was the head chef at Pietro Leemann’s Joia in Milan, but arrived there after an unusual journey: he studied Literature and Philosophy in Florence and completed a PhD in Psychology. Meanwhile, he also nourished his passion for cooking. He worked in Ireland – also in the field of vegetarian cooking – and then went to India to study Ayurveda cooking. In 2005, upon arriving at Joia, he worked as a teacher in some catering schools in Milan, then in the courses run by Associazione Vegetariani Italiana and Alma. In 2011 he became the executive chef at Organic Academy, and as of the following year he also guides the kitchen at Ops!, serving Mediterranean vegetarian cuisine in Rome.