Sardinia triumphs at the Premio Bancarella Cucina , the 18th edition of the prestigious literary competition dedicated to culinary-themed editorial masterpieces, and the podium goes to a son of the island who, starting from Ogliastra, has achieved an extraordinary professional career in the service of the Presidents of the Republic.

A wonderful fairy tale lived by Pietro Catzola , a past member of the famous Amerigo Vespucci where he was the much loved chef of one of Italy's jewels in the world, a pride of the Italian Navy admired by enthusiasts from all continents.

“Il Cuoco dei Presidenti”, published by Solferino, defeated the fierce competition of important and award-winning authors, just to give an example, in third place was an absolute star performer and box-office champion like Oscar Farinetti with “She was born first the hen... maybe", taking home the coveted recognition.

The brilliant cooking wizard, originally from Triei, met President Francesco Cossiga on the most famous sailing ship in the history of the Italian navy.

It was the 1980s and the then Head of State proposed to Chef Catzola, given his mastery in the creation of exquisite and refined dishes, to follow him to the Quirinale.

Amazed by such a prestigious and demanding proposal, Pietro Catzola, twice, although flattered by such an exciting working possibility, declined the Sardinian President's invitation but on the third request, also convinced by his daughter, who was in favor of a more sedentary life contrary to Vespucci's wandering, he capitulated and in 1989 his story began in the most important Palace of the Republic.

This year Pietro Catzola toured Italy far and wide to present his debut in bookstores and even in Sardinia the stops to talk about his first work as a writer met with unprecedented success.

At the award ceremony, the Sardinian chef wanted to dedicate his victory to the Presidents who wanted him at the head of the kitchens that produced so many extraordinary delicacies for the powerful people of the planet: after Cossiga, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, and then again Giorgio Napolitano until to the present day with Sergio Mattarella.

Dinners, lunches and receptions in which Pietro Catzola has always left his Sardinian mark, making the treasures of 4 mori food and wine known to world leaders, enchanted by the island's delicacies so much so that they want to import preparation methods and ingredients.

In a few months the Chef of the Quirinale will leave those unforgettable kitchens to dedicate himself to his passions: having reached retirement age Pietro Catzola will certainly continue to delight and amaze Sardinian gourmets and those of all latitudes, a great master of the kitchen who will know how to keep the name of Sardinia on any international occasion thanks to his extraordinary art and his prodigious interpretative style of dishes which he has conquered, in over 40 years of career, the most demanding palates.

LP

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