Serving up a taste of Italy with pizzazz

NEW DELHI: For a boy who began makingan egg for his breakfast at the age of five, Paolo Gagliardi sure has come along way. "I always wanted to cook. If not a chef, I would’ve become abartender. Indian food excites me. I love tandoori but I haven’t triedcooking it yet," he says smiling. The visiting chef has been flownin from Milan for a food promotion at a hotel here. And, not surprisingly, thecountry’s First Family, with its close Italian connections, has beenchecking out his cuisine. Sonia Gandhi visited the hotel with daughter Priyankaand mother Paola Maino. Later, Priyanka visited again with hubby Robert and hisfriend Virender Awasthi. "While Priyanka enjoyed the red snapperwith potato and sauteed cherry tomatoes with black olive broth as well as jumboravioli of Castelmagno cheese, her husband opted for grilled tenderloin filletwith spiced stewed tenderloin sauce and gorgonzola cheese-filled ravioli,"informs Gagliardi. He is no stranger to famous people. Withsatisfied clients such as designers Valentino, Dolce and Gabanna, Armani andDonatella Versace, musicians such as Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton,Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Idol and beautiful peoplelike Diana Ross and Naomi Campbell, his job is most envied. "They’re allsimple people," he reveals. "Most of them like being left alone,don’t enjoy talking much. Then, there are some like Steven Tyler who justwalk around the restaurant shaking hands with people," reminisces the masterchef. And do famous people come with their equally famous companions? "They allcome with bodyguards," he laughs. While Bryan Adams loves pizzacooked only by the Italian chef, Steven Tyler prefers pasta and Eric Claptongenerally opts for vegetable lasagna. "Clapton once gave me the pick of hisguitar when he was having a meal here. I’ve been a fan of his since I wasyoung and the pick is a cherished souvenir," Gagliardi says. "And Diana Ross isa very, very private person. She orders from the restaurant but it’salways room service." And when he goes back, Gagliardi will takealong a variety of Indian spices, incense sticks, ready-to-eat curries andIndian teas. "I’ve picked up some Hindi too — chalo jaldi is myfavourite phrase."