UNISG’s Academic Tables will be hosting a hat trick of Michelin stars, starting with Cristina Bowerman of one-Michelin-starred Hostaria Glass in Rome, who will be preparing some of her iconic dishes on Tuesday October 18 and Wednesday October 19, followed by Moreno Cedroni, the undisputed master of seafood and holder of two stars, on Friday October 21.
Originally from Cerignola, Puglia, after completing a degree in law Cristina Bowerman studied forensics in California. It was in the United States that she began working in the restaurant sector, initially in graphic design and marketing. Her passion for food grew and eventually she attended the Culinary Academy in Austin, Texas, where she studied culinary arts. In 2004 she returned to Italy, and after a series of work experiences she was hired in Rome as the chef at Glass Hostaria, in Trastevere. It was here in 2010 that Cristina won a Michelin star, the only Italian woman to do so that year. An active communicator and educator, she often participates in conferences in Italy and abroad, as well as teaching professional cooking courses.
At Pollenzo, she’ll be preparing an autumn-accented menu, which on Tuesday will feature a pumpkin puree with candied pumpkin, pumpkin chips, poached egg and bread crumble; lentil soup with ham bone; and cauliflower with fried apple, Parmesan sauce, anchovy coulis and orange zest. Wednesday’s menu starts with the same pumpkin puree with candied pumpkin, pumpkin chips, poached egg and bread crumble, but followed by Savoy cabbage rolls stuffed with chestnuts and Castelmagno cheese and tabbouleh with carrots, celery, broccoli tops, chickpeas, lime, parsley and fresh coriander.
Moreno Cedroni is from Ancona, in Italy’s Marche region, and he opened his restaurant La Madonnina del Pescatore in 1984. It was here in 1996 that he won his first Michelin star. His approach to seafood has led him to be hailed as one of the most creative and inspired chefs at an international level, thanks also to his constant series of new projects. In 2000 came the Clandestino Susci Bar on the Portonovo bay, a legendary destination for lovers of raw fish. In 2003, he opened the first seafood salumeria, Anikò in Senigallia, followed by the Officina, an experimental workshop where he produces cured fish, jams, preserves and sauces. In 2006, he received his second Michelin star for La Madonnina del Pescatore, and a further recognition came in 2012, when the Wall Street Journal named it as one of the Europe’s top ten fish restaurants. Alongside his cooking, he is also kept busy with publications and television appearances, and he is one of the most recognized faces on the Italian culinary scene.
Faithful to his driving forces in the kitchen—creativity and imagination—Cedroni will be preparing a fragrant and mouthwatering menu in Pollenzo: white seafood lasagna with coconut, parsley and lime sauce, followed by shellfish chowder with a crouton and hints of star anise and closing with Italian-style cassata with raspberry sauce.