Chef Chiara Pavan has been selected to represent Italy in Kazakhstan during SCIM 2023 - Week of Italian Cuisine in the World. Chef Pavan, who runs the Venissa restaurant on the Island of Mazzorbo, Venice, is a talented and ethical cook with 1 Michelin star and 1 green star awarded by the French guide. She is bringing the flavors of the Venetian Lagoon to Kazakhstan to share the wonders of Mazzorbo and its microcosm. We were able to catch up with her just before her flight to Kazakhstan.
The chef from Veneto is a graduate of ALMA School of Haute Cuisine in Colorno, Parma. She is famous for her "meter zero" menus and is thrilled to be part of the 9,200 events organized by Farnesina to promote the diversity and authenticity of Italian food and wine worldwide. Pavan will also bring with her the fruits of the lagoon land to Kazakhstan. These include the delicious castraure, which is grown in local cooperative vegetable gardens, and invasive fish species like the much-feared blue crab. Pavan's expertise in fermented vegetables will be on full display as she optimizes the fruits and vegetables for the menu. She is committed to avoiding plastic as much as possible and has fought to abolish it from her restaurant. Her restaurant is famous for its "environmental cuisine," which describes the surroundings and reflects on the footprint it leaves on the land. Francesco Brutto, Pavan's colleague and partner, shares her love for the environment and ecology and will join her in this challenge.
Interview with chef Pavan
What does your collaboration with SCIM 2023 consist of?
«They have invited me to organize two dinners, which will be held on November 15th and 16th at the Selfie Restaurant in Astana, the capital of Central Asia. The purpose of these events is to celebrate Italian Cuisine Week and Italian Culture in the World. I am extremely honored to be a part of this».
The Ritz Carlton Astana houses a fine dining restaurant, hosting Chiara Pavan on its top and scenic floor. The restaurant is a branch of the Moscow-based restaurant of the same name, which is recognized as one of the top 100 restaurants in the world by The World's Best Restaurants. Chef Anatoly Kazakov, in the kitchen, focuses on a reimagined selection of European delicacies and a vast wine selection. The dishes have a common thread of seasonal produce and modern technology.
What kind of recipes are you planning to prepare?
«Francesco and I planned to celebrate Italian cuisine with risotto, lasagna, ragù, and pizza, but with a creative and sustainable twist».
Could you be more specific about the menu?
We drew inspiration from a variety of sources when creating our menu. For instance, we deliberately selected flavors that are reminiscent of traditional Italian cuisine. Some examples of our offerings include a green lasagna with fennel béchamel and mussel ragout, as well as risoni with Parmigiano cream, tomato oil and meat sauce».
What does Italian cuisine represent in the world?
«Italian cuisine, and all the cuisines of the world, are an immediate way to convey the concepts of brotherhood, sisterhood, sharing, and friendship. It would be nice to break the stereotypes that link our country to certain recipes and let the world discover the infinite variety of products and traditions that Italy is fortunate to have. This heritage is still largely undiscovered and unknown».
What Italian dish would you like to see served today even in remote places like Kazakhstan?
«When I travel, I don't usually seek out Italian food. Instead, I prefer to fully embrace and experience the local culture. However, I can understand how for communities of Italians living abroad, having a taste of home can be comforting. In that sense, Italian restaurants that serve pizza are a logical and welcome addition».
Can you please explain your plan for acquiring supplies while in Kazakhstan?
“We will be bringing many ingredients from Italy for the dinners in Astana. The reason for this is that we want to tell a story about our island in the lagoon, which cannot be fully expressed with locally sourced ingredients.”
Che cosa rappresenta la cucina italiana nel mondo?
«La cucina italiana, ma mi sento di dire tutte le cucine del mondo indifferentemente e il cibo in generale, sono la via più immediata per trasmettere il concetto di fratellanza e sorellanza, condivisione e amicizia. Inoltre aggiungo che sarebbe bello scardinare gli stereotipi che vogliono il nostro Paese legato solo a talune ricette e lasciare finalmente che il mondo scopra l’infinita varietà di prodotti e tradizioni che l’Italia ha la fortuna di avere, un patrimonio ancora ampiamente da scoprire e far conoscere».