|
Christian
Cilia is the Head Chef at the very popular Brasserie St Nicholas
whose must-try dish is Basil Pannacotta. He is the first in our new
series of chef profiles :
Full Name:
Chef Christian Cilia
Age: 34
Born:
Abruzzo, Italy
Background
and Training: Classically trained as an apprentice at the Hilton
Malta for three and half years. Mother is also a professional chef
and grand mother was a charcuterie (the ageing and curing of meats
eg. parma ham, bressola)
Favourite
style of cuisine when not working: Simple cuisine with robust
flavours and texture
Signature dish/dishes:
My signature dishes are usually seasonal and since I was raised by
the sea side I always prefer to cook fish; its more creative and
fresher. For dessert, a must-try is my basil pannacotta.
Ambitions: To
be the best I possibly can at my craft to achieve industry accolades
and to be recognised within the restaurant world
How long in
present position: I have been a head chef since I was 21 and I
have been at the Brasserie St Nicholas for 7 months.
In what
direction does he think eating styles (a) should go (b) are going: Unfortunately
due to social lives and working patterns in the UK there is not one
particular eating style. Obviously with television bombarding us with
all sort of cookery and celeb chefs programs, trends have gone from
eating safe food to being more adventurous. Personally I think people
should be more aware of seasonal produce and demand it all the time.
Food should be cooked in a healthier way; our children should be
constantly made to eat different foods so as to educate the palate
and you have to enjoy what you are eating. I think that eating styles
are starting to change with more people demanding better quality of
food, cooked simply to bring out the best out in any ingredient and
to view food and eating as a pleasurable thing.
Most
important item/gadget in the kitchen: Most important item in a
kitchen is a big sharp mean looking knife!
top |
