The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Exlpore the tastes of Italy with chef Gino
It was a moment that some This Morning viewers would never forget: Gino D’Acampo was rustling up a macaroni cheese, when Holly Willoughby suggested that if he added some ham it could be a British carbonara. “If my grandmother had wheels, she would be a bike!” he retorted, as Holly and Philip Schofield collapsed in fits of giggles.
Of course, that wasn’t the only time he’d left the duo doubled over in laughter. His cooking sketch involving lasagne sheets also had an adverse affect on the hosts thanks to his accent, but that only managed to boost his popularity as viewers at home reached for the rewind button.
Given his good looks, quick wit and a voice that can turn many women’s legs to jelly, there’s little wonder Gino has become one of ITV’s most valuable players in recent years.
The last some folks saw of him was on October 21, when he and Keith Lemon were re- enacting scenes from Back to the Future.
Despite the fact he’s part of the Celebrity Juice panel, it was easily one of the most unusual sights of ITV2’s tribute to the blockbusting time travel trilogy.
However, both shows have proved that the much i n- demand chef wasn’t afraid to poke fun at himself.
This time of year, as we stare at grey skies and try to gather inspiration for the evening meal, it’s cooking shows like Nigella’s new series and Gino’s Italian Escape: Islands In The Sun that provide much needed inspiration.
And when there’s a hefty dollop of sun-kissed trav- elogue thrown in for good measure, it should help ease those autumn blues.
“For Italians, the most important thing in life is food,” he explains. “And as an Italian, I love to explore my home land.”
And for millions of Brits, it seems we can’t get enough of the celebrity who puts the juice into tasty shows like this.
For this latest adventure, Gino travels round two of Italy’s biggest islands for his Italian summer. He meets the locals, samples the culture and of course savours the food of his home country.
Having made Sardinia his home from home for the past three years, our host is keen to show us the best of this stunning island.There is plenty to enjoy as he hosts a traditional Italian Festa for his closest island friends.
Later, he’s heading north of the island, where he visits Alghero, a medieval walled town on the North West coast.The Spanish-influenced region boasts stunning architecture and of course, the food.
The final leg of his trek involves catching a boat to a cave network 20 minutes across the bay, marking a fine end to his first few days exploring this island. And there’s not a British carbonara in sight.
GINO’S ITALIAN ESCAPE: ISLANDS IN THE SUN (ITV, FRIDAY, 8PM)