Let’s meet our Italian chefs who have been cooking with our guests in our Tours From Home online classes. Denyse, Roberto and their team of incredible chefs in Italy are joining us today to share their stories, cooking tips and favorite dishes.
1. Let us know a little about you
We are a married couple from Rome. Roberto, a Sicilian from Modica, grew up with the aroma of the meatballs in the tomato sauce on Sunday mornings. Denyse was born near Treviso, the hometown of Tiramisu. When we ordered dinner together on our first date, we realized that we were meant for each other.
Food can be more than just survival. With it you can make new friends and overcome prejudices. We are hungry travelers, and we are constantly looking for new recipes from around the globe.
We are Italians, after all. Our passion and pride spill over into pasta. There are over 300 types of pasta and we haven’t tried them all!
2. Why did you choose to become a chef in the first place?
Both of us were born into families that encourage cooking, fighting, and kneading. We had many different experiences before we decided that cooking would become our profession.
We have been teaching how pasta is made on a rooftop in Rome for 6 years. It’s exciting to see people from different cultures appreciate the simple pasta. Rob is a natural baker talent, and Den is an avid foodie.
3. Which Italian dish is your favourite to prepare at home?
Rob: Bread, and Gnocchi
Den: Risotto with squid Ink
4. Are you able to share any tips on Italian cooking with our readers?
Italian cuisine is all about less is more. There are tons of Italian recipes that use an infinite number of ingredients. If you have good tomatoes, you don’t need any more. Make sure to invest in seasonal ingredients from small producers who work with integrity.
An Italian recipe is all about love. It goes beyond simple food.
Don’t forget pasta! You can pair it with any side dish, such as salad. ).
5. If you know of any good restaurants or food that travelers should try in Rome, let us know.
The suppli is a deep-fried rice ball that has been dubbed Rome’s most iconic street food. It’s a great snack or starter to pizza. SUPPLi ROMA via San Francesco a Ripa n.137 is our favorite place to buy Suppli.
6. What is your favourite place to visit outside of Rome?
Both of us are in love with Asia. We have been to many countries, and our main reason for visiting is the food and people. We love to travel to Spain, Greece and other European countries.
7. What city did you eat the best food in? It was from where did you eat it, and would you recommend it to others?
We had so many delicious and interesting meals on our Vietnam trip as a couple. The best Hoi An dish was the stuffed crispy omelette/pancake (Banh Xeo) which we enjoyed sitting on small plastic stools.
Rob: sushi at Tsukiji Market in Tokyo
Den: Moroccan chicken tagine and apricots
9. Which country would you like to travel next?
Rob would love to travel to Argentina (a huge meat lover), while Den would love to go to Okinawa, which is a paradise for island lovers. We hope to be able travel again. In the meantime, we enjoy the beauty of our country.
10. What city in the world do think is most underrated? Would you recommend it to people?
We believe that Sicily or Sardinia should be avoided. However, these islands offer the most authentic Italian lifestyle, unspoiled natural beauty, history, and delicious food.
