Italian chef uses Azerbaijani saffron during master class in Baku

An Italian Michelin-starred chef conducted a masterclass during Italian Cuisine Week held in Baku from December 4-10, using Azerbaijani saffron in his dish.

As Andrea Burton told Report, he chose risotto with saffron, a traditional dish from his native Lombardy, specifically to incorporate a local ingredient.

He also noted that having a Michelin star doesn't burden him, as he loves his work and considers himself famous only to his family.

Representatives from the hospitality sector - hoteliers and restaurateurs, along with local media, observed the cooking process and listened to Burton's explanations about the dish's preparation specifics.

"Risotto is traditional for Lombardy and its capital Milan, where I'm from, but isn't as common in other parts of Italy," the chef told Report, discussing his preferences. For him, there's no question pasta or pizza, or something else - it's definitely risotto, he noted, adding that any easily digestible food can be considered healthy.

During his time in Azerbaijan, the Italian chef conducted several masterclasses and appeared live on a cooking show on AzTv, where he demonstrated his skills to viewers.

Italian Cuisine Week aims to introduce a wide audience to Italy's cultural heritage, of which cuisine is an important part.