Neven goes wild with a new love
WE know him as the nice-guy chef who wouldn’t say boo to a goose, but chef Neven Maguire discovered his wild side in Italy where he enjoyed an adrenalinfuelled drive in a racing Ferrari, took to prosecco and fell in love… with Tuscan cooking.
The TV chef, 42, was in Italy filming his new travel and cooking series which also involved a flight in a microlight aircraft – but it was meeting with the producers of Parma ham, Parmesan cheese, prosecco and balsamic vinegar that he says he really relished.
Maguire said: ‘It’s a very privileged experience to go to Italy, a country I love and whose food I love, just to see their love of food and the way they really appreciate traditions. It’s not gimmicky, it’s real food and I had the best three weeks of my life. I’m even drinking prosecco now.
‘You hear from some of the producers that they learned from their grandmothers and mothers – and that’s the beauty of it.
‘It’s in their blood, good food, and they have respect for their ingredients, their traditions and cultures.
‘I admire that and I learnt a lot. I’ve been to Milan and Rome and they’re lovely, but when you get to the heart of Italy, to Tuscany and to Modena, which blew my mind. It’s wonderful.’
‘It’s incredible how they make their cheese, soaking it in brine.’
The Cavan chef said Neven’s Italian Food Trails has been his favourite TV tour so far.
‘I was in the Basque country two years ago and I loved that. But hand on my heart, I think this is way better. It has something for everyone.
‘We love pasta, pizza, lasagne, so I’m privileged to be able to showcase that on RTÉ. ‘Cooking shows have changed. Audiences want a bit of travel, they want a bit of fun too – like the Ferrari and the microlight.’