Unlike what I experienced at the beginning of my career, one crucial aspect that stands out today is “communication.” The role of a chef has a different significance now, as they feel or want to be perceived as the “bearer of truth.” Therefore, we increasingly find chefs who have a growing need to communicate compared to before.
Giving advice is always a bit challenging, mainly because I believe that each personal point of view can lead to personal emancipation. Certainly, from my perspective, I consider our profession to be one that allows creativity, and this creativity is still based today, and even more so over time, on solid foundations, something extremely concrete. By “solid foundations,” I refer to the “deep knowledge of the craft,” built on practice and in-depth exploration, study, history, and therefore anthropology. I believe that this aspect should never be disregarded because it is one of the most important aspects on which to invest time.
I advise you not to forget and to never neglect the knowledge aspect of a country’s history, especially at a time when communication in the gastronomic world has undergone significant changes. Today, chefs find themselves personally responsible for communicating themselves and their ideas.
Riccardo Camanini