Gourmet dishes come from nature: interview with chef Auletta

Chef Giuliano Auletta talks to Weissestal. 

His mantra is "thoughtful food," because each recipe is not simply created in the kitchen, but comes from the heart of the earth through a long "thoughtful" process. It comes from that living, pulsating earth, capable of telling ancient stories that are still relevant today; it comes from deep dialogue with farmers who tend their gardens with the love of a parent for their child, and it comes from careful study of the gestures of a shepherd, from listening to the earth itself, which speaks to those who want to know and respect the raw ingredients. Because nature really does know how to inspire the creation of gourmet dishes!

Chef, your mantra is "thoughtful food": reveal the philosophy behind this symbolic phrase of yours...

Thoughtful Food because, as I deal with Wellness Cuisine and preparations for people with intolerances, I put a lot of study and a lot of "thought" behind every single recipe, preparation, and dish. I always start with a meticulous search for genuine, simple, important raw ingredients, until I have a complete understanding of the ingredient, the technique, what that food does to our body, how it nourishes it while respecting it. The goal is to make everyone experience emotions, regardless of their tastes or what they can or cannot eat. In short, pleasure without guilt!

How did your passion for cooking begin?

My passion for cooking began in a small village where the gestures of the housewives were life! Homemade bread baked early in the morning in wood-fired ovens, pasta prepared with care using only water and flour, preserves made with love from everything the land offered in abundance... That's where my passion comes from, from my love for that village, those gestures, that land. The best way to be grateful for every fruit of the earth and therefore for the work of every farmer and every housewife is to make the most of it in the kitchen.

Which dish represents you the most or do you particularly love to cook?

Legumes are the raw ingredient that best represents me. Let's go back to the previous answer: legumes are native to the land and were the favorite food of those farmers and housewives. I prepare them in soups, but I even use them in my desserts!

How important is seasonality in cooking? Do you have any advice for us?

The concept of seasonality is particularly linked to our territory, Italy.
In the world of healthy and ethical eating, respecting the seasonal calendar is one of the golden rules when deciding what to cook. We live in a time when many products are always available, and we often no longer pay attention to the fact that each season has its own first fruits. Many people complain, for example, that fruit and vegetables no longer taste as good as they used to, but the truth is that, more and more often, they come from far away and are subjected to chemical treatments to ensure they last until they are sold. The advice for enjoying genuine fruit and vegetables, then, is to respect seasonality! And so on, for every other food.

How much does your homeland influence your culinary creations?

Very much so. I am originally from Lucania, which is close to my heart, and Romagna has become my home, my spiritual place. In the kitchen, they always evoke a unique visceral emotion in me. They are in balance. Giving themselves completely. And every time, in my dishes, I inhabit both.

When presenting a dish, how important are the shape and color of the plate it is served on, and how do you think they affect the taste experience of those who are eating it?

The shape and color of the plate give energy to the food! The container, and then the presentation in general, conveys a part of the sensations, moods, and impressions, together with the content. Shape and color are two essential pieces of information for the sense of sight, which is governed by our brain. And I believe that eating well is an experience for the body, soul, and mind.

You have often cooked, or rather, plated dishes using Weissestal tableware. Have you recognized any distinctive features that reflect your philosophy?

I appreciate the simplicity and elegance of the Weissestal lines.
They are clean, light, and delicate, even in the most vibrant colors. My favorite is the Cottage line: it reminds me of the earth and the granite spirit of those farmers and housewives I admire so much!