World Pasta Day - Nonnetta

Where does your passion for cooking come from?

My love for cooking was born in the south of Italy, among the smells of freshly baked bread, coffee, tomatoes that were cooked slowly and those family meals that were almost rituals. As a child I was fascinated to see how a simple ingredient could become something that excited me. Over the years I understood that cooking was my way of expressing myself, of telling my story and sharing it with others.

Your favourite pasta to surprise on a special day

More than a dish, for me it is a tradition. In my family, the most important days always revolved around a single ingredient: tomatoes. Not just any tomato, but the one that my grandparents grew and kept all year round. This is the origin of dishes such as lasagne, risotto or ravioli, always with tomato. The important thing was not the exact recipe, but the gesture of cooking something with that ingredient that united us.
That is why, on a special day, my favourite dish always starts with a good tomato: the flavour of my childhood, my home and my family.

The seasonal ingredient you can't miss this autumn

This autumn you can't miss pumpkin. I love it because it has that balance between sweetness and earthiness, and because it allows you to play with many textures. It can be roasted, mashed, creamed or even used in desserts. Well treated pumpkin can be as elegant as a luxury product.

Any pre-service rituals?

Always half an hour before each service or event I like to touch the product, smell the sauces and connect with what I am going to cook. It's my way of focusing and preparing my mind. And, of course, I never miss an Italian espresso before I start. That moment of silence and concentration connects me with my team: we talk, we do a little briefing, we look at each other and we know exactly what we have to do. It is a ritual that has always been with me.