SIMONE FEDERICI

Chef, La Mamma

I’m Italian but I’ve spent the past few years in the Caribbean – I’ve only recently just arrived in Abu Dhabi so I’m looking forward to learning more about the city.

If I want to improve my menu, I rely on my guests’ feedback a lot. The real inspiration always comes when you put yourself in the guests’ shoes and intuitively try to imagine what could delight them.

While it is important to learn from others, I also think it’s important you stick to your own ideas. Don’t be afraid to take initiative in the kitchen – cooking is an art and if you don’t listen to your inner voice, you will not succeed.

The strangest thing I’ve eaten is grilled iguana. I only found out what it was a few weeks after.

The dish I am most proud of creating is veal cheek tortelli with thyme-infused broth, beetroot and lemon. This dish is available at La Mamma.

I am passionate about motorcycles. But if I don’t have one to ride, I spend a time exercising in the gym and reading books.

If I wasn’t a chef, I would have liked to be an entrepreneur. I’m not sure in what field but I’ve always wanted to start my own business.

I don’t eat much junk food, but I would kill for a good burger.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3.30pm, 6pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. lamammaabudhabi.com