This was published 5 years ago
Italian chef Isabella Poti: The five places that made me
Isabella Poti
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN
San Sebastian is such a magical place. My memories are connected to my first, life-changing experience working at a restaurant with three Michelin stars – the inimitable Martin Berasategui. San Sebastian is the European city with the highest density of starred restaurants and this has created in it incredible emotions, influencers and inspirations for the culinary world.
PARIS, FRANCE
Paris is undoubtedly one of my most loved gastronomic destinations; the French cuisine is complete in every facet – from the bread at the beginning of each meal to the stunning pastries and desserts to finish. The city constantly evolves, particularly in the culinary world, and it always fascinates me.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Moving to London was a very important goal in my life. I moved to this city in search of knowledge and experiences that would change me dramatically, deeply. Here, I worked at two-Michelin-star Hibiscus with the legendary Claude Bosi. He taught me the basics of pastry and I learned so much. I understood that I really loved Michelin-star restaurants. I experienced London in the moment of full change. Revisiting brings back so many wonderful memories.
IBIZA, SPAIN
I have only ever been there for work, but what fascinates me about Ibiza, and what draws me in, is that it is pure fun. There is a total and utter freedom in everything you do. I love that it is carefree and that it celebrates the beauty of everything around you.
SCORRANO, ITALY
Scorrano is a small town in southern Italy. I am particularly attached to Scorrano because it is where my partner Floriano is from. The city's founding goes back to the Roman era when the land was granted by the emperor to centurion Marco Emilio Scauro for his faithful service. I like to think of it as the place where ideas and dreams are born, and where we come back to realise them together.
Isabella Poti, 22, is a co-owner of Bros' in Lecce, Puglia with her partner, Floriano Pellegrino. She was a guest chef on Masterchef Italy, and trained under Claude Bosi at his two Michelin-starred London restaurant, Martin Berasategui's three-starred restaurant, and master pastry chef Paco Torreblanca, who is considered the father of modern pastry. In 2017, Poti was listed in Forbes' 30 under 30 (Europe) and named one of the 10 most influential women in Italian cuisine. This October, she is part of the Sydney Good Food Month's line up of chef superstars.
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