THE LEGENDARY BUTCHER

Renowned Chef Dario Cecchini discusses the launch of Carna Dubai and why this region was his next big step

You will most likely recognise the butcher-cum-chef Dario Cecchini from Netflix’s popular series Chef’s Table. The spirited chef - who had ambitions of becoming a veterinarian instead of a butcher - had to take over the family-owned business, which is why Cecchini has much respect for produce and uses the entirety of the animal in his dishes. Here we find out about his first international outpost at SLS Dubai.

Why was Dubai your next big move?

I come from a small village in Tuscany, in the heart of the Chianti region, called Panzano. I’m from a family that for 250 years, eight generations, has passed on the art of butchery from father to son. Carna, for me, is a wonderful opportunity to carry forth a message, that it is not just a restaurant, but it's an experience. It’s an opportunity to eat meats of the highest

quality in an ambience that is not only comfortable, but the entire menu and philosophy of the restaurant is based on respect for the animal. There are not only wonderful steaks on the menu but also skewers of beef heart, there's a wonderful Bollito Misto including tongue and other delicious parts of the animal. It's my way of showing people how it can be wonderfully delicious to use all parts of the animal, from nose to tail.

Describe Carna.

Here, diners will enjoy the comfortable atmosphere. They'll find a service that is influenced by great professionality, wonderful food and a team that I feel represents me to a T, and that I adore. Diners will find a great experience of conviviality and wonderful cuisine at Carna.

How would you describe your cooking style?

It's the cuisine of a butcher. Therefore, I look for the simplest, best recipe for every cut of beef.

Name some of the standout dishes on the menu.

The Bistecca alla Fiorentina (a traditional Tuscan cut) and the beef heart skewers, which allow you to enjoy a cut that is not often used these days. The Bollito Misto is another great one, and in general, these are three dishes that represent a butcher's way of cooking. I grew up eating a wonderful Bollito Misto, which is a dish that my grandmother made for me. And I think, in particular, the cuisine that a butcher enjoys at home absolutely is the cuisine that includes the lesser-known cuts of the animal, hence the beef heart skewers.

GET TO KNOW THE CHEF

Favourite kitchen appliance A good knife!

A chef you admire the most I truly, deeply admire Chef Jamie and Chef Philippe at Carna, SLS Dubai. They are professional, always prepared, and a dream to work with.

Your go-to meal I love to prepare for myself and my family, my beef tartare. I always serve it with a glass of classic red grape from the Chianti region.

Any special plans in place for the near future?

Carna in Dubai has been a great honour to inaugurate and to build for the future with sbe and Accor. We will soon be opening Bottega de Carna in Detroit, and have plenty of other plans that we are working on and looking forward to creating together, where we will always keep in mind using every part of the animal well out of respect. Favourite restaurant in Dubai and why? As far as my favourite restaurant in Dubai, I have to say, I'm not lucky enough to have a great experience dining out as yet. This is one of my very first trips to Dubai, and for now, my favourite restaurant here is Carna. It is truly where I feel at home. Carna is a casa, which in Italian means home!