Mark Moriarty, an Irish chef has won the San Pellegrino Young Chef 2015, an event organised for the first time this week.
One of the judges of the competition, that took place in Milan was the most renowned chef Massimo Bottura. As soon as the award was announced, Bottura invited the Irish chef to cook at the Refettorio Ambrosiano, the soup kitchen in Milan which is feeding the poor thanks to the creativity and generosity of Bottura and chefs who are using scraps and food that would otherwise be wasted, to raise awareness on the problem of food waste.
Mark Moriarty immediately accepted the invitation from the chef of Osteria Francescana in Modena and said he was honoured to be invited to cook at the Refettorio. He said he was looking forward to the first of many opportunities. To which the Italian chef replied with a quick thought: “First of all after yesterday night, feet on the ground.”
It’s a lesson we’d like to highlight because it is so important to remember. It is no wonder Bottura is considered to be a mentor by many chefs globally.
Moriarty was representing Ireland and the UK at the San Pellegrino World Young Chef 2015. He is chef at Culinary Counter. He will be joining a group of Italian and international chefs who will be cooking at Refettorio Ambrosiano. For more information about Massimo Bottura’s project you can read our article here.
Massimo Bottura is currently in London for the opening of a temporary pop-up restaurant Osteria Francescana at Sotheby’s.
Leave a Reply