Two of Toronto’s top chefs are starring in a new series about Italian food
Cooking Italy follows Rob Rossi and Craig Harding as they cook their way across the country
Two of Toronto’s top chefs are taking their skills abroad—and in front of the camera—for a new television series about Italian food.
Cooking Italy, which premiered last week on TLN, follows Craig Harding (La Palma, Constantine, Bar Prima) and Rob Rossi (Giulietta, Osteria Giulia, Sammarco) as the pair discover the cuisine of often overlooked regions of Italy. Along the way, they’ll meet local farmers and artisans to learn about the traditional cooking methods of each region and use the fresh ingredients they find to create new twists on classic dishes.
“Each episode finds Rob and I exploring places like the Apennine mountains in Abruzzo, the pastoral farmland of Sardinia or the wild nightlife of the old town in Naples,” Harding says. “We were so fortunate to connect with different chefs, farmers and winemakers. Each encounter explores the history and traditions of the area, which gives both us and viewers a snapshot of how unique and special these regions are.”
Related: Ten Italian restaurants in Toronto with the best aperitivo hours
The series explores what it means to live la dolce vita while diving into the nuances of Italian cuisine. Each episode finishes with Rossi and Harding serving up a big feast in a picturesque setting, allowing them to showcase what they’ve learned about the local cuisine. “For us as chefs, it was such an organic way to learn new techniques and ideas from the masters,” Harding says.
And, since season four of The White Lotus will take place in the south of France, Harding and Rossi plan to follow suit and will head there next to learn about all-things French.
