Full house at the Falcone Institute, for the meeting with Carlo Cracco

The great hall of the Falcone Institute was full for the meeting with the chef Carlo Cracco, even though only a few of the 60 classes at the institute in Gallarate (which specialises in catering, graphics and photography) were able to attend the encounter with the great chef, on the day of the fifth final of MasterChef Italy, the programme that made him famous among the general public.

Carlo Cracco presented his latest book In principio era l’anguria salata (At first, it was salted watermelon) to students and teachers at the Falcone Institute; in it, he recounts his experiences as a cook and his culinary philosophy. The occasion provided an opportunity to engage actively with the students, who asked him many, and important questions. Cracco answered with the wisdom of someone who has been through a lot in his time, and he advised everyone to learn as much as possible, to improve themselves. “We must always broaden our horizons, open our minds, because getting to know new environments allows us to become good, and to be able to choose, instead of having to accept other people’s choices.” This was one of the answers that the audience liked most.

Anna Prandoni, the former editor of the magazine Cucina Italiana, writer and expert in this field, chaired the discussion with the chef. Next to her, two groups read out a few pages chosen from the book: one group was from the school, and the other had been organised by the Carù Bookshop.

The person in charge of the project, which has included encounters with Davide Oldani and Alessandro Borghese at the school, is the teacher Laura Taccone: the headmistress, Marina Bianchi explained how part of the day was organised. The special guests at the meeting included the Mayor of Gallarate, Edoardo Guenzani.