All roads lead to Rome — Especially in Adriano Baldassarre’s kitchen

When ET Panache sits down with Adriano Baldassarre, the Italian Michelin-starred chef, it quickly becomes clear that his heart belongs to two things above all else: Rome and food. Born in 1977 in Rome, Italy, with family roots in the Abruzzo region. He grew up around traditional cooking and learned the value of simple ingredients from his grandparents, who were farmers. And that simplicity is something he brings to the plate. “I like the freshness of the ingredients and the natural taste to come through,” he says. Baldassarre is currently hosting a limited edition Italian pop-up till March 15 at NMACC Arts Cafe.

The menu is guided by a philosophy of quality over quantity, and many dishes reflect Baldassarre’s own favourites. The gnocchi alla Sorrentina stands out—pillowy gnocchi paired with tomatoes bursting with flavour, fragrant basil, fresh buffalo mozzarella and a crown of beautifully melted Parmesan. Another recommendation from the chef himself is the chicken parmigiana, a dish he holds particularly dear. Other highlights include truffle and ricotta ravioli with wild herbs in a delicate butter and sage sauce, and a whole onion slow-cooked with mushrooms and Parmesan, finished with generous shavings of black truffle.

Early in his career, Adriano worked with renowned chefs and restaurants, including Giorgio Locatelli’s restaurant Zafferano in London and Heinz Beck, the three-Michelin-starred chef. He later founded Tordomatto in Zagarolo near Rome, which earned a Michelin star in 2007, making Baldassarre one of the youngest chefs to receive the honour at the time. Back in India after a few years, he says he’s surprised by the shift in the food map and how the country is growing in leaps when it comes to food.


He also served as Executive Chef at Vetro in The Oberoi Mumbai for about two years, worked as a consulting chef for Perbacco at The Lodhi and cooked for high-profile clients, including the Mukesh Ambani family. But who would he like to cook for? “For all those who want to come and try my food. But I don’t mind Jennifer Aniston too,” he says tongue in cheek.