Variety is the spice of life for globetrotting Chef Andrea Torre, who’s arrived in Asia after cooking stints in Italy, the UK and Norway. Now, the native of Rome has brought his sustainable and farm-to-table practices to Aman Resorts’ newest property, Amanyangyun in Shanghai.
We met him in Arva restaurant by the lakeside at Amanyangyun, his warm and welcoming personality contributing to the convivial atmosphere. As he brings dish after dish of starters for us to sample, he tells us about his Roman heritage, the old traditions that have inspired his unique, simple and timeless dishes, and how, aged nine, he began making his own fresh pasta, handing out tagliatelle to his family as Christmas presents.
As for the food at Arva, one dining experience wasn’t enough for us, so we had it breakfast, lunch and dinner. Did we get sick of it? Not at all.
Dinner parties: Casual / formal?
“The perfect dinner party should most definitely be a casual affair with a relaxed atmosphere that will put guests at their ease.”
What would your playlist be?
“My playlist would feature some classics by Jamiroquai, Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin and Barry White, mixed with some ambient, gentle house tracks.”
What is a must-have dish for any dinner party?
“Bread, bread, bread! I know it’s not a dish as such, but the techniques required for baking bread demonstrate a chef’s skills and passion more than any other dish in the world.”
Your top three favourite Asian dishes
“I’m still new to Asia and so there’s a lot more travelling I need to do to discover new places and food cultures. Currently, I would say the Japanese yaki udon is a good example of the type of food I love – made with few ingredients, yet it gives off a unique flavour. The Chinese Xiao long bao and a Thai Yum Som-o salad are also two simple favourites.”
What are your must-try restaurants in Hong Kong?
“Next month I’ll finally visit Hong Kong for the first time. I’ve heard great feedback on RyuGin’s food, service and location. Another one on my list is 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, which is still the only three-Michelin-star restaurant outside Italy. Chef Umberto Bombana uses top-quality Italian products, which are difficult to source even in Italy.”
What’s the secret to hosting the perfect dinner party?
“It all lies in the welcome. At Arva in Amanyangyun, myself and Graziano, the restaurant manager, always try to greet and welcome our guests in person to actively engage them in the dining experience. We encourage the chefs to bring the dishes to the table, followed by a conversation with the guests about the food.
Food, service, music and lighting are all of course vital components for the overall experience, and when all are combined with a special welcome, an unforgettable dinner is guaranteed.”
Do you have any Italian traditions for dinner parties?
“Caffe & Ammazzacaffè! In Italy, we always close a dinner party with an espresso followed by an aperitif of Limoncello or grappa – sometimes even both!”
If you could invite any three people to your dinner party, who would they be?
“If I could invite any three people to my dinner party … I’d invite Rihanna, I think she’s absolutely charming and beautiful, Liam Gallagher for his rock ’n’ roll attitude, and Italian celebrity Chef Fulvio Pierangelini – Fulvio was my idol when I started my culinary journey many years ago, so to have dinner with him and to serve him my dishes would be an honour.”
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