Suzhou 'foreign son-in-law' wins silver at intl chef competition

"This is a truly prestigious competition!" Reflecting on the event, Ilario Turri remained exhilarated. The contest, endorsed by WACS (The World Association of Chefs' Societies), was a showcase for Michelin-starred chef teams from around the globe, creating a gastronomic extravaganza. To Turri, the essence of the award lies not only in his team's consistent craftsmanship but also in their exploration of a dialogue between Italian inspiration and Suzhou flavors.

"The international judges unanimously praised this fusion of the East and West!" Ilario Turri told the reporter. The highlight of his creation crafted in one month was the Tea-infused Tiramisu. As a native of Tiramisu's birthplace in Italy, Turri boldly incorporated Suzhou's local Biluochen tea into the classic Italian dessert. "On the competition day, everyone was amazed. People often see matcha paired with Western desserts, but Biluochun is new to them. Its subtle bitterness perfectly complements Tiramisu's sweetness," he explained.
As a "foreign son-in-law of Suzhou", Ilario Turri remains committed to blending traditional Suzhou elements with Western cuisine in a bid to elevate the taste and sophistication of Western cuisine in Suzhou. "In the future, I hope to introduce more localized innovative menus, for example, using seasonal Suzhou ingredients to create dishes that meet international standards of Western cuisine while embodying local cultural identity," he said.
Beyond that, Turri actively steps onto the global stage. He competes in international contests, judges more competitions, and leverages the Suzhou Food Chamber of Commerce to connect supply chains of food. "This is about expanding the boundaries of Suzhou's Western dining scene," he told reporters, adding that he aims to inspire more stakeholders and converge more resources to help infuse "local authenticity" into the city's culture of Western cuisine and enhance its cultural connotation and taste.
Source:Yinlibo