Beyond Taste Holiday 2017 - 2018 Edition BT XMAS 17 | Page 145

DIMITRI ASCIUTTO MARGAUX: Where were you born and raised ? MARGAUX: What are you favouri- te dishes to prepare? Dimitri: In Amsterdam, The Netherlands My father is Italian and my mother Dutch Dimitri: I love making different fresh pasta types, and Japanese cuisine. In the late 1980's, I first came into contact with Japanese cuisine. I was immediately addicted to the good food and the beauty of this kitchen. In the early nineties I started making my own sushi. Now, looking back, these sushi was very bad, because we could hardly get the right ingredients here in the Netherlands. Only soon later in the nineties these ingredients became easier to find. I love making diffe- rent fresh pasta types, and Japanese cuisine. In the late 1980's, I first came into contact with Japanese cuisine. I was immediately addicted to the good food and the beauty of this kitchen. In the early nineties I started making my own sushi. Now, looking back, these sushi was very bad, because we could hardly get the right ingredients here in the Netherlands. Only soon later in the nineties these ingredients became easier to find. And so I could further prefect myself with making sushi. MARGAUX: What and / or who were the catalysts that stimulated your interest in becoming a Chef ? Dimitri: My father. In the early eighties my father worked as chef at restaurant Mario in Neck near Purmerend. This restaurant had 1 Michelin star. I was in those days about 18 years old. My father asked me if I wanted to work there to learn the Italian kitchen. I learned to make fresh pasta. Actually all pasta types and dough types. Fur- thermore, making pizzas. Later Mario's brother Lorenzo Uva also started a restaurant in Amsterdam. My dad and I went to Amsterdam to start the restaurant from the outset. From the parents of Mario I got lessons. I really learned to cook. From appetizer, main courses and desserts. 144