NINE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FOOD HABITS
Chefs Silvia Colloca, Giovanni Pilu & Stefano Pingue in conversation with Daniele Curto
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Giovanni Pilu
Is the Executive Chef & Owner of Pilu at Freshwater, Sydney
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What was your favourite food as a child and what is it now?
As a child it was my mum's lasagne and it still is today!
The U.S News & World's Report has classified the Mediterranean Diet as the best diet overall. Do you agree?
Yes - it's a very balanced way to eat, not difficult to achieve and is reliant on fresh, seasonal produce.
Omnivorism, Vegetarianism, Beeganism, Pescatarianism, Fructarianism, Breatharianism, Veganism, Veganism before 6pm... the list goes on. What type of diet do you follow? And why?
I follow a balanced diet - nothing extreme - I guess you could call it Mediterranean.
What is your preference, wholemeal or refined white flour?
Wholemeal.
What is your preference, English breakfast or Cappuccino and Cornetto (Croissant)?
Depends where I am - in Australia English Breakfast but in Italy definitely cappuccino e cornetto.
What is the most unusual/strangest type of food you had ever eaten?
Cazu Marzu - Sardinian cheese with maggots!
What is the dish that you prepare and you believe is best?
Risotto.
What do you consider "“your personal" super food?
Bottarga. Salted, cured fish roe, typically of the grey mullet.
If you could choose, what would you have for your "“last" meal?
My wife's pasta with meatballs.
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Silvia Colloca
Is the Food blogger at Silvia's Cucina, Cook book author, TV Host, Writer for Delicious Australia and for Sunday Telegraph
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What was your favourite food as a child and what is it now?
My favourite food as a child was pizza! May favourite food now is pizza. And my favourite food in the future is going to be pizza.
The U.S News & World's Report has classified the Mediterranean Diet as the best diet overall. Do you agree?
I agree 100%. I am a big advocate for following the Mediterranean diet; eat everything in moderation including fresh fruit and veggies and, of course, extra-vergin olive oil.
Omnivorism, Vegetarianism, Beeganism, Pescatarianism, Fructarianism, Breatharianism, Veganism, Veganism before 6pm... the list goes on. What type of diet do you follow? And why?
I do not think I ever followed any diet. I simply eat well, try not skip meals. That's does not mean to have a big meal every day; sometimes I am happy with just some tomatoes and extra-vergin olive oil.
What is your preference, wholemeal or refined white flour?
I prefer wholemeal, it's got more texture, more flavour as the white flour just not have enough taste.
What is your preference, English breakfast or Cappuccino and Cornetto (Croissant)?
Cappuccino e cornetto, tutta la vita.
What is the most unusual/strangest type of food you had ever eaten?
It's a Southeast Asia fruit called Durian. It is very smelly. Pretty full-on.
What is the dish that you prepare and you believe is best?
My meatballs make a lot of people happy.
What do you consider "“your personal" super food?
Extra-Vergin Olive Oil.
If you could choose, what would you have for your "“last" meal?
Spaghetti with vongole. It ticks all the boxes: is got the saltiness, the texture, the heat from the garlic and chilli. It is definitely my last-meal-scenario.
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Stefano Pingue
Is the Head Chef at Garum, Perth
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What was your favourite food as a child and what is it now?
As a child I always loved mussels. Today I do tend to favour those foods and flavours that take me back to my childhood and offer that sense of nostalgia like fresh blackberries, bluberries and mushrooms.
The U.S News & World's Report has classified the Mediterranean Diet as the best diet overall. Do you agree?
Yes, I do. I believe this is due to the great influence of so many different countries. Olive oil, fish, local meat, legumes, fresh fruit and vegetables make up the cornerstones of this diet, so it's hard to beat.
Omnivorism, Vegetarianism, Beeganism, Pescatarianism, Fructarianism, Breatharianism, Veganism, Veganism before 6pm... the list goes on. What type of diet do you follow? And why?
I do not follow a particular diet. I think it is important to eat a little bit of everything without overdoing it. I avoid unnecessary commercial products.
What is your preference, wholemeal or refined white flour?
Wholemeal. Unfortunately, refined white flour is completely stripped of its nutrient value.
What is your preference, English breakfast or Cappuccino and Cornetto (Croissant)?
Will always be cappuccino and cornetto, I'm Italian! However, I don't dislike having an English breakfast tea every now and then for something different.
What is the most unusual/strangest type of food you had ever eaten?
Monkey and ants' soup in Thailand; crocodile and kangaroo in Australia; the sperm of the sturgeon in Europe.
What is the dish that you prepare and you believe is best?
Florentine steak accompanied by Amarone della Valpollicella red wine.
What do you consider "“your personal" super food?
Fruit and legumes.
If you could choose, what would you have for your "“last" meal?
A panino called Michetta, a very typical dish from Milan with Prosciutto cotto.
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