23-12-2015

All the best, dear Milano

Claudio Sadler gives a (positive) report of Expo and urges: we mustn’t loose this energy

Claudio Sadler, historic fine dining patron-chef i

Claudio Sadler, historic fine dining patron-chef in Milan and president at Le Soste, presents the city

The year that is about to end was, for Milan, the year of the World Fair, which lasted six months it will take us a long time to forget. Expo for me was born long before 2015, as I often happened to host in my restaurants in Rho many preliminary meetings between local authorities – at the time, the town’s government was led by mayor Letizia Moratti – and the inspectors from the Bureau International des Expositions [The BIE is the institution that assigns Expo to the candidate cities]. Right from the first meeting I sensed that what they were organising was to be a great event. In terms of media attention, cultural, productive, technological, ethical and, last but not least, economic development.

Some time later, in 2013-2014, the economic recession was still up and running and we needed something special to happen to give some energy to the country. The choice of successfully applying to host Expo 2015 therefore turned out to be not only useful but also perfectly fitting for those times. So much so the chosen theme was perfect: “Feeding the planet” was linked with cooking and restaurants, very important sectors for Italy, on which one needs to work more and more.

Right from the start I thought it would be an extraordinary chance for Milan to become a great town, more than it already was. A truly international town. This thought has always been my objective, more than personal or business interests. In fact, I didn’t wait for the 1st of May fitfully but with a little detachment – this is in a way my attitude – waiting to understand how it was best to act.

After the opening, not much changed in my professional life: in fact, from May to mid June I had a sizable decrease in the number of guests, especially at Chic 'n Quick. The same happened to other colleagues of mine. Everyone was worried about this unexpected trend, it seemed as though people in town were only interested in Expo and the restaurants inside the fair swallowed up our usual local clientele. This phase lasted until mid June: already by the end of the month, and then until October, things changed, the Navigli filled up with people thanks also to the investments made in the Darsena…

Navigli by night: with the Darsena, it is one of the most sparkling areas in the renewed Milan
Navigli by night: with the Darsena, it is one of the most sparkling areas in the renewed Milan

In this area they encouraged a large flow of people and, after many many years of stagnation, the Darsena and its canals were thus filled with people who were eager to watch or just have a walk in a part of Milan that is still authentic and liveable. Very heterogeneous restaurant services were already available in the area, so everything was ready to satisfy all needs. This corner thus became once again a nice place to meet up and have fun. September and October were fully booked months.

Safety helped a lot: no accident, no problem inside or outside the Expo. There were also many events created outside the fair: Mercato Metropolitano, thousands of happenings, everyone wanted to add his idea... Even random ideas, but just the fact the idea was there made the city shine with the enthusiasm and efficiency that only the capital of Lombardy is capable of in Italy.

Milan is international, in other words. Now Expo has ended, there’s still the desire to continue to experience, again and again, that fantastic dimension. Keeping the same vital energy will not be easy but I believe the city will confirm to be a propelling and positive city. All the best, dear Milano.


Dall'Italia

Reviews, recommendations and trends from Italy, signed by all the authors of Identità Golose

by

Claudio Sadler

Born in 1956, he’s a successful blend: he was born in Milan, where he enjoys living, to a father from Trentino and mother from Friuli. He opened his first restaurant in 1982, got a Michelin star in 1991 at Osteria di Porta Cicca, and then also in Via Troilo, which doubled in 2002. In 2007 he moved to Via Ascanio Sforza 77, one success after the other

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