Luigi Taglienti, born in Savona in 1979, earned his first Michelin star at Ristorante Delle Antiche Contrade in Cuneo and another in 2013 at Il Ristorante Trussardi Alla Scala in Milan.
I come from Liguria; I was born in Savona in 1979. It’s a wonderful Italian region where you can find the best ingredients, from the sea to the mountains. Since childhood I have always had a passion for the kitchen. My mother and grandmother love traditional Italian dishes, and you could say I fell in love with them in the earliest years of my life.
After graduating from culinary school at the State Vocational School, I immediately decided to jump into the real world of gourmet cooking and tried to work in the best restaurants I could find around Italy and France.
Gradually, year after year, I shaped my own vision of cuisine, learning from the great masters. I tried all the traditional, classical, and avant-garde dishes: fine ingredients and simple food.
I worked at La Palme d’Or in Cannes, traveled half of Europe, and in 2007 I was entrusted with my first restaurant. That’s how I became chef of Ristorante Delle Antiche Contrade in Cuneo, where I earned my first Michelin star.
In 2012 I started working here at Il Ristorante Trussardi Alla Scala, across the street from the pride of all Italians, the Teatro alla Scala, and in 2013 I received another Michelin star.
I think Italian food is so gorgeous and so appreciated around the world because it is based on amazing local ingredients and on traditions passed down from father to son. At the same time, Italian cuisine is so diverse that from region to region you can find completely different ingredients in the recipes.
I’m inspired by classic French and Italian recipes skillfully given a modern twist through avant-garde techniques. I pay close attention to details and try to use, whenever possible, products that have escaped globalization and are part of Italy’s food culture.
In my spare time I like taking pictures in new cities and riding a bike around town, looking at the people and the architecture. I like traveling and discovering new cultures and new cuisines.
The dish in the photo is Black and white cuttlefish. I chose it because it is my vision of modern recipes and the result of my whole culinary journey, and it is also very popular here at my restaurant. Come to Milan and try it: this dish will not leave you indifferent!
