TH E C HEF
“I’M BREAKING TRADITION, TO RE-BUILD TRADITION” In Dubai to host an exclusive eightcourse tasting menu experience at his Palm Jumeirah production, Massimo Bottura talks us through his life, passions and classic cooking style
B
orn and raised in Modena, Italy, Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Massimo Bottura was recently in town at his restaurant Torno Subito. The Italian restaurant set within W Dubai - The Palm, is where the creative genius, his brilliant hand-picked protégé Chef Bernardo Paladini and culinary crew constantly surprise with innovative, breath-taking edible works of art. Here, the Chef patron at Osteria Francescana, a threeMichelin-star restaurant in Italy which has been listed in the Top 5 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards since 2011, discusses how he almost pursued a different career path, his relationship with food, The World’s 50 Best in the MENA region, favourite go-to music and upcoming endeavours.
Ah yes, I did. When I was 15 years old, the Modena team decided to move me into a semi-professional part of the training session. My grandmother convinced me not to give everything to soccer but to keep studying;
20 The Pro Chef Middle East
/ Edition 56
Photographs SUPPLIED
Is it true that you almost pursued a career in football?
