Top three gadgets in the kitchen?

One: Good quality knives, it will make your food prep much easier and safer. Two: Air Fryer, fantastic if you need to cook or warm up something quickly, uses less electricity than an oven so great for the environment. Three: Dishwasher, I hate washing up!!

Favourite pan in the kitchen?

I love my 24cm- to 28cm-frying pans. I can’t do without this size pan. It's perfect for frying, tossing pasta with sauce, searing steaks. It's a must have pan if you are into cooking.

Microplane or knife?

Knife, every time, unless I need to grate something very fine like the peel of an orange or lemon.

Grass-fed or grain-fed steak?

Grass fed. The taste is better and I feel better knowing that the cow is eating something fresh and natural.

“The worst thing people do to pasta? Overcook it or break Spaghetti in half. In Italy it will be a sin.”

Fire or gas? Or — shock — induction?

Forget about induction, every chef’s nightmare as you can’t control the heat in your pan properly. Gas any day.

Apron or no?

If I cook anything with tomato sauce: YES. Otherwise: NO.

Do you “salt bae”?

I have too many hairs on my arms, the salt will not fall down properly!… I’ve tried 😊

What did you have for breakfast?

Two espressos and a freshly squeezed orange and carrot juice. I don’t do food until lunch time; it’s an Italian thing.

What dish do you make with up to 4 ingredients?

The best Italian dishes always have very few ingredients, that’s the base of Italian cuisine. Bucatini alla Carbonara, Spaghetti pomodoro, Veal alla Milanese, Cacio e Pepe, Affogato al caffe…

What do you put on instant noodles? Do you “chef” this pantry staple?

Instant noodles?!?!? WTF!!! I am Italian…

Something you eat that you know you shouldn’t.

Cheese puffs, any brand, any shape. I love cheese puffs. By the way, I am a sucker, not a cruncher.

The worst thing people do to pasta?

Overcook it or break Spaghetti in half. In Italy it will be a sin.

Cheese or Dessert?

I am not a big cheese fan; I like to use it in recipes but not on its own…

One nostalgic dish.

Spaghetti alle Vongole, the last dish my mother cooked for me before she passed away, it was incredible.

Cooking with kids: Your verdict?

We should all put much more effort into encouraging kids in the kitchen but be ready for a lot of mess!

You know you’re home when…

When I hear my wife Jessica shouting to my kids 😊

Drink of choice.

Guinness or Negroni.

What’s the best city in the world to live in if you love food?

20 years ago, I would have said London for the variety of different cuisines. Today I say Firenze or Napoli, you can’t beat proper traditional Italian food.

What’s the best thing about the city you live in?

For the past 15 years I have been living between Italy and UK, Napoli and London. They are very different cities but both fantastic if you like great food and to have fun.

Where’s your favourite local (for eating or drinking)?

I don’t have a favourite local around where I live, but I am a big fan of good pub food, like a traditional roast dinner or a fantastic steak and kidney pie.

Best meal you’ve ever eaten out?

I honestly do not remember. I don’t often eat out and when I do, I don’t look for the best food to eat, I look for the best place to have fun with my family and friends. It is more about the people I am with than the food I am eating. If I want reliable good food I stay at home and cook.

Favourite place to stock up on supplies.

Preferably a local market. I love the interaction with the local producers, buying ingredients when they are in season, and you can also learn a lot from them.

What I hope never changes about food.

Respect and traditions. Too many modern chefs have no respect for ingredients or any traditions behind their dishes, I call it soulless food.