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Piccolo Cooking Masterclass Onlinecooking Titelbild

Ready for the online cooking masterclass

ONLINE COOKING MASTERCLASS with Matteo Metullio and Davide Da Pra – The current situation means we can no longer experience many highlights and adventures outside our own four walls. But that doesn't mean we have to miss out on everything. More and more creative, unique, and very special events are now being offered online. This includes the online cooking masterclass, which is part of the project „True Italian Taste“This took place – a project supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One of its aims is to raise awareness of Italy's rich culinary culture through participation in the online cooking masterclass and to highlight the focus on high-quality Italian food products with protected designation of origin.”.

True Italian Taste with ITALCAM and Harry's Piccolo Restaurant

Now I had the opportunity to participate in one of ITALCAM to participate in the virtual cooking masterclass organized as part of the „True Italian Taste“ project. The masterclass was led by the Head chefs of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant „Harry’s Piccolo“ at the Hotel „Duchi d’Aosta“, located in beautiful Trieste, Italy.

The masterclass started in a relaxed atmosphere at 6:30 pm via online connection. After the chefs introduced themselves, the cooking began step by step. Before I tell you about the masterclass, here's some information about the two culinary experts who, together with the participants – influencers, members of the trade press, and food lovers – conjured up a wonderfully creamy risotto with Formadi Frant cheese, horseradish, and smoked trout, accompanied by a regional white wine, a Gramogliano DOC.

Piccolo Cooking Masterclass Onlinecooking

The two stars behind the stove

The online cooking master class

Let's take a look at the two head chefs, Matteo Metullio and Davide Da Pra. Matteo Metullio Even as a young boy, Matteo Metullio knew he wanted to be a chef and inspire people with good, high-quality cuisine. He cooked in a variety of excellent restaurants and kitchens, including "Alle Codole" in Canale d'Agordo, "Hochabtei" under Norbert Niederkofer, and "La Speranzina" in Sirmione. In the spring of 2013, Metullio took over the reins of the Michelin-starred restaurant "La Siriola" at the Hotel Ciasa Salares. That same year, Metullio was awarded the title of Italy's youngest Michelin-starred chef and also became the national representative of the "Next Generation" chef program in Berlin. Numerous nominations and awards followed in the years that followed, culminating in 2017 when "La Siriola," under Metullio's culinary direction, received 92 points and three forks (Gambero Rosso Guide), 17 points (Gault & Millau), and its second Michelin star.

Step by step, it is explained how to make the perfect risotto.

Davide Da Pra Davide Da Pra, also born in the 1980s, found his way into the kitchen by helping out as a boy in his family's pizzeria. This was followed by various positions in different Michelin-starred restaurants – "Malga Panna," "Tyrol" in Moena, "Osteria Le due spade" in Trento, and "Alle Codole" in Canale d'Agordo, where he met Matteo Metullio. Today, the two chefs share not only a passion for fine cuisine but also a close friendship. Davide Da Pra also worked as sous-chef and head chef at the Hotel "San Pellegrino" on the San Pellegrino Pass, the Hotel "Fanes" in San Cassiano, and the "Sport Hotel" in Arabba.

Risotto according to the recipe of star chef Matteo Metullio and Davide Da Pra

A joint project is born: "Harry's Piccolo"„
The two chefs' journey together began in 2013 when Matteo Metullio was offered the head chef position at "La Siriola" and brought Davide Da Pra on board. Together, the duo led the restaurant to two Michelin stars in 2013 and 2017. Their desire to embark on a new joint project grew stronger, and meeting entrepreneur Alex Benvenuti led them to take the first steps toward their current restaurant, which opened in spring 2018. „Harry's Piccolo“ in Trieste – Metullio's home. The restaurant is part of the Grand Hotel Duchi d'Aosta and is divided into two distinct yet complementary styles in terms of cuisine and service. Guests can choose on-site whether to dine at "Harry's Piccolo Restaurant" or "Harry's Bistrò." Since October 2018, there has also been "Harry's Pasticceria." A month later, in November 2018, the concept and the culinary skills of the two chefs were awarded a Michelin star.

Piccolo Cooking Masterclass Onlinecooking Registrierung

The box will be sent to you immediately after registration, and you can soon get started in the kitchen.

The online cooking masterclass

Now, let's get cooking! After registering for the online masterclass, I received a box via courier containing all the ingredients needed to cook with the chefs. We cooked exclusively with certified DOP products from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The masterclass was held in Italian and translated into German, so everyone, including those who don't speak Italian, could participate. The box contained everything I needed: Vialone Nano rice, white wine, vegetable stock, a whole smoked trout, horseradish root, extra virgin olive oil, and Formadi Frant cheese. All I needed from my own kitchen was vegetable stock, butter, a pot, a knife, a cutting board, a ladle, and a grater.

The online cooking masterclass has come to an end, and we have a delicious risotto…

The masterclass started promptly at 6:30 p.m., and the presenter and the two Michelin-starred chefs got right to work. Everything was demonstrated and prepared step by step in a clear and easy-to-understand manner, at a comfortable pace. The white wine mentioned earlier was also given its due: while the risotto simmered, a sommelier joined via video link, and we tasted it together. A delicious wine that paired perfectly with the creamy risotto. The cooking masterclass lasted a total of one hour – including the introductory presentation, an informational film about the region, and the sommelier's presentation. A truly fantastic event, which was duly rewarded for each participant with a deliciously creamy risotto. I would participate again in a heartbeat and would like to take this opportunity to thank both chefs and ITALCAM for making it possible.

Hard facts and information

You can find out which events will take place as part of the "True Italian Taste" project on the ITALCAM website, as well as here on my website. If you would like to learn more about the products and culinary tours of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, you can find out more here. here You can do this. On the website you can choose one of a total of six experience tours and get to know the different products, their producers and region.

+++ This article was created in cooperation with ITALCAM. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Online Cooking Masterclass within the framework of the project „True Italian Class„

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