During the 2012 Olympics in London I was invited to create a special menu at the Italian cultural hub, Casa Italia. When I arrived in London, I learned that the irreverent English artist Damien Hirst had
placed one of his paintings in a Burger King. What a curious thing indeed! Contemporary art in a fast food restaurant? I couldn’t resist the temptation to experience it for myself.
The encounter with the swirling colours reminded me that the world is not black or white, but a multi-colored universe. And the title: Beautiful Naked Psychedelic Gherkin Exploding Tomato Sauce All Over Your Face, Flame Grilled Painting became a source of inspiration for a new recipe.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE COLOR?
Beautiful, Psychedelic, Spin-painted Veal, Not Flame Grilled
I was determined to serve something unquestionably Italian at Casa Italia, with a touch of British flair. After seeing the painting I knew exactly what to do.
We marinated the Fassona Piemontese beef in milk. To recreate the ‘flame grilled’ flavor, we rolled it in carbon ash and cooked it sous-vide at 64°C (147°F). It came out completely black on the outside and uniformly pink inside. By cooking it at a low temperature, it was tender and more flavourful than any flame grill.
Credits: Callo Albanese and Sueo
The tri-colour sauces were pureed and spin-painted on the plate, like a Hirst painting,
If your favourite color is red, you are eating balsamic vinegar from Modena.
If your favourite color is white, you are eating splash potatoes.
If your favourite color is green, you are eating chlorophyll.
We believe that art can be an inspiration, a guide and a muse.
The artworks on Osteria Francescana’s walls leave clues to our creative process.
They animate the dialogue between the dining room and the kitchen.
Credits: Marco Poderi
Art for us is a landscape of ideas.
It widens horizons and opens up possibilities.
It allows us to see the world from another point of view.
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