Aldo Zilli: ‘Jean Christophe is my “screen wife”!’
Italian chef and Celebrity Hunted star Aldo Zilli talks about how to impress at your New Year’s Eve Party and looks back on a busy year…
In 1976, Aldo Zilli threw a suitcase in his car and drove from a small town in Abruzzo, Italy, to the UK. And the celebrity chef, who shares a luxurious pad in Surrey with his model wife, Nikki, and their children Rocco, 13, and Twiggy, 11, hasn’t done badly for himself. As well as working as ‘consigliere’ or advisor, with the San Carlo restaurant group, Aldo, 63, has founded several restaurants of his own and is a regular face on TV - most recently alongside fellow French chef, John Christophe Novelli . So, who better to give us some top tips on throwing a NYE bash?
What are your secrets for a fabulous New Year’s party?
Prep in advance. Have everything laid out ready, so you can relax and enjoy your guests’ company. It’s boring when you turn up to a party and your host is rushing about – you don’t get a drink or to chat for a while. My wife, Nikki, hates me hosting parties –
I go all out and make so much mess! But I’ll be having a party at Alto in Selfridges this year.
What are your go-to elements, for that ‘wow’ factor party?
In Italy, we always have antipasti (starters) we tend to bake last-minute – things like fried pizzette, folded ripiene – hot snacks. We don’t do canapés. They’re dull! Please do not offer cold canapés to me – they feel like an afterthought. Put some love into it. The food should blow people away. My pièce de résistance is a seafood platter.
Is the food on offer a sign of how good (or bad) the night will be?
Absolutely. If you’re offered a bowl of peanuts, a few sad little vol-au-vents and some cheap prosecco, don’t go getting excited! I would also offer Franciacorta – it’s somewhere between prosecco and champagne. For me, it’s the best drink you can serve. If you want, you can combine it with fruit, such as peach juice.
Any festive food you recycle beyond Christmas?
Panettone – it’s an underrated dessert! In Italy and we use any leftovers right up until March! You can toast it and have it for breakfast, dipped in your coffee. You can use it to make tiramisu, or any dessert you care to imagine.
You must have hosted some great bashes…
I’ve had amazing ones, ones where I’ve slaved over a hot stove… my most memorable New Year’s Eve party was at my first restaurant, Signor Zilli, in London’s Soho in 1988. George Michael was on the decks, playing his own music. I was transfixed. It was a tiny room, about 40 of us, and
everyone was face Naomi Campbell, Spandau Ballet, Simply Red…
Sounds like quite a legendary night…
It didn’t end there! I went back into the kitchen at 3am and cooked pasta for everyone – including George. They were partied out and hungry! Those memories are like gold-dust. George was a client for years, who became a friend. The most creative person I’ve ever met.
Such a rock’n’roll lifestyle! Have you mellowed since?
I had to. That went on for 20 years, but I’m too old for it now. I’ve got that party element, that passion for entertaining – it’s in my blood. I’ll go out, thinking I’m still 25 – then have a twoday hangover!
But you get that buzz from running restaurants…
Running a restaurant is like having a party every night.
That’s how I treated it, for years – befriending everyone, but it nearly killed me. I was there 24/7. That’s why celebrities came, because I was hands-on, had the best ingredients, was a total show-off. Still am! Entertaining is like… taking your children to Hamleys. We’re not on this Earth for long – we might as well make the most of it.
Tell us about your kids…
I have a grown-up daughter, Laura, and my son, Rocco, is 13 – a typical moody teenager.I call him ‘Kevin’, like the Harry Enfield character! But he’s got a very big heart and he’s a great sportsman. My daughter, Twiggy, 11, is pretty fiery - she goes to stage school. I have a feeling she’s going to take after me and her mum. She’s also a great cook – it’s in her DNA.
What’s been one of your highlights of 2019?
Doing the reality show Celebrity Hunted. Not only did I have a ball and win, but I gained a really good friend in Jean-Christophe Novelli – he’s my ‘screen wife’! We’re working together as we speak – we’re filming a travel/cooking show in the spring. We’re going to be chefs on the run across Europe.
Looking back on the year, what are you thankful for?
Lots of things. I’ve started a lifestyle brand, Casa Zilli (aldozilli.com/casa-zilli), with my wife. We sell niche products –from pasta cutters to Sacla sauces to scented candles. But, above all, I’m thankful that I have three healthy, happy children, and a healthy, happy wife. Nikki lost her father eight years ago – they were so close, a part of her never recovered. Your health truly is your greatest richness.