On Friday, April 20, the Aspira University College culinary studio hosted Roberto Cerea for a workshop and sampling of his specialties with Gastronomy students.
Roberto Cerea runs the exclusive Da Vittorio restaurant in Bergamo, Italy, bearer of three Michelin stars, the highest award in gastronomy. Over 100 Italian restaurants are in posession of a Michelin star, however as few as nine establishments have three stars.
Bruno’s parents, Vittorio and Bruna Cerea started the gastronomy story back in 1966., when they opened Bergamo’s first seafood restaurant. Their love for cooking was passed onto the next generation, and so Roberto and Enrico manage the restaurant and the kitchen, while Francesco runs the winemaking business, Rossella is head of hospitality, and Barbara has purchased the pastry shop Cavour in Bergamo Alto. Bruno Cerea’s style is based on the Italian tradition, however he has enriched it with numerous inovations. Patrons come for light seafood dishes, the so-called wellness cuisine.
Together with Gastronomy students he prepared a feast for the eyes and palates of all persons present. The appetizer was an eggplant layer cake with a Philadelphia cheese, pepper and basil mousse. This was followed by a risotto with fish soup and “fake” mussels. The main course was gorgonzola-stuffed potato gnocchi with spinach.
In his opening address, the chef underscored that he was delighted to be invited to Aspira, praising the students and their level of knowledge. The students were even more enthusiastic with the chef’s direct, hands-on approach and the advice he gave them. Some of them will be fortunate enough to have their professional internships at the Da Vittorio restaurant.
Aspira University College Gastronomy degree program is the first international program of this type, offering culinary enthusiasts the possibility of professional training under the mentorship of finest chefs from Croatia and abroad. Vicenzo Guarino, Ivan Pažanin, David Skoko, Dino Galvagno, Braco Sanjin and Hrvoje Zirojević are just some of Aspira’s mentors. The emphasis is on hands-on learning through weekly workshops and professional internships in Croatia and internationally. There can be no doubt that the hosting of chef Roberto Cerea will provide quality experience to the students in their future careers.