Chef Antonio Lotito - Across my Table

Saturday, December 01, 2012Sudhakar

This time - Across my Table features Chef Antonio who hails from Italy’s cultural capital Milan and brings to the city a myriad of flavours from across the different provinces of Italy. Chef dé Cuisine, Chef Antonio is passionate about promoting authentic Italian delicacies across the globe. He specializes in Italian cuisine and loves to spin a twist to age-old recipes to increase contemporary appeal.

Chef Antonio Lotito heads the Italian restaurant at Mövenpick Resort & Residences, Aqaba, Jordan. He is currently visiting as a guest chef for the Italian Food Festival - Amore Italiano. I managed to get a small interview with him - the highlight of which is a 5-course Italian menu that he would personally serve if he were entertaining guests. Read on....

Chef Antonio Lotito, Guest Chef, Moevenpick Hotel & Spa, Bangalore

In your travels as chef, do you find people are more appreciative of Italian food that is authentic or which comes with a contemporary twist?

Chef Antonio: I believe the essence of Italian cuisine is its simplicity. Recently, I came across a Paneer tikka pizza, which is so popular in India. This contemporary spin to the age-old pizza is very popular here.

Brodetto - Pic for representation, click here for original link

It happens to most cuisines, where only a small part becomes popular, in the case of Italian, its pastas and pizzas – what is the one part about Italian cuisine that you would want people to know more about.

Chef Antonio: I think that Lasagne or Fettuccine Alfredo is very common across the USA without forgetting the Pizza that is made all around the world in many different ways. I personally would like people to know more about Italian sea food.

Herbed infused olive oil - Pic for representation, click here for original link

What would you like us to know about the cuisine of Milan your home – what are the popular dishes, ingredients, styles of cooking, anything you feel more people should know.

Chef Antonio: In Italy, your passion for cooking that is reflected in your dish. I like to use fresh herbs like basil, rosemary and sage in my cooking. Olive oil is vital in Italian cooking and has large health benefits.

What dishes would you lay out if you were entertaining guests at your home. A detailed menu perhaps…

Chef Antonio: I would like to design a 5-course menu with the following-

All images are just for representation and may not show the dish the way the chef has perceived it.

Appetizers