Meet Chef Antonio De Crecchio, Executive Chef, Amò at Via Toledo, a culinary artist whose passion for pizza knows no bounds. With a dedication to perfecting every crust, sauce, and topping, he transforms simple ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces. Join us as we delve into the world of gourmet pizza through the eyes of this chef who lives and breathes this beloved dish.
What inspired you to innovate in the realm of pizza making?
I’m always looking to bring new ingredients that usually are not associated with pizza so that we can give a higher experience to our customers. This sometimes means to push us to the limit of pairing.
Can you share some of your most unique or unconventional pizza creations?
One of our most unique pizzas in our menu is STRACCIATELLA CHEESE, MAZZARA DEL VALLO PRAWN AND CAVIAR.
How do you balance traditional pizza flavors with innovative ingredients and techniques for a multi-cultural palate like the UAE?
Trying to combine ingredients from all over the world for the gourmet pizza that we have on our menu but without forgetting the traditional one giving the chance to the guest to feel like he is eating pizza in Naples.
What role does creativity play in your approach to pizza making, and how do you foster it in your kitchen?
Overall, being creative in the kitchen enhances the enjoyment of cooking and eating, promotes culinary exploration and allows you to express your personality through food.
Are there any specific regional or cultural influences that inform your pizza innovations?
We try to use all the best Italian ingredients but always keep an eye out for great products all around the world.
How do you ensure that your innovative pizzas maintain a balance of flavors and textures?
By paying attention to all the factors that influence the taste of pizza and experimenting with different ingredients and seasoning, you can achieve a well-balanced and flavorful pizza.
Can you discuss the process of experimenting with new ingredients or flavor combinations to create a successful dish?
There are some key factors that you have to consider: using contrasting flavors, and different textures, incorporating umami, savory taste, and the balance of sweetness, and considering the final dish/pizza discussing it with my team during the time of the experimentation.
Have you encountered any unexpected challenges or surprising discoveries while developing new pizza recipes?
Combining ingredients from different parts of the world and of different natures in the same dish/pizza sometimes is challenging but also surprising because it creates a great combination of flavors.
What do you hope to achieve with your pizza innovations, and how do you see the future of pizza evolving?
My goal is to bring people together, foster cultural exchange and inspire creativity but also to contribute to the enjoyment of food worldwide.