Luisa Marelli Valazza (born 1950) is an Italian chef whose restaurant Al Sorriso, in the Piedmont municipality of Soriso, has been recognized in the Michelin Guide since 1982 when it was awarded its first star. A second star followed in 1988 and a third in 1998.[1][2][3][4]
Biography
editBorn on 20 December 1950 in Soriso, Luisa Marelli studied Italian literature before entering the restaurant business.[4] She first gained interest in cuisine in Borgomanero where she spent ten years raising a family in the starred restaurant of her husband Angelo Valazza (1970–1980). In 1980, they bought a restaurant in nearby Soriso near Lake Orta. When the chef had to return to Switzerland, she suddenly had to take charge of the kitchen herself. Passionately interested in her new assignment, she began studying the books and recipes of the most famous French and Swiss chefs such as Frédy Girardet, Georges Blanc and Jacques Pic.[5][6]
Al Sorriso was awarded its first Michelin star in 1982, its second in 1988 and its third in 1998, making Luisa Valazza one of only three women in Italy with three Michelin stars.[1] In 1999, the restaurant was included in Relais & Châteaux and was cited for cucina eccellente by the Accademia Italiana della Cucina.[2]
Luisa Valazza ascribes it all to her husband: "This restaurant's success is above all due to Angelo... He is the one who has always had a gift for public relations and catering. He is the one who taught me everything. I never did any apprenticeships. He was a chef before I was. I just stepped in to sort out an emergency."[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Interview with 3 star Michelin Luisa Valazza". Michelin Star Fine Dinings. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
- ^ a b "La cucina stellata di Luisa Vallazza in Piemonte sul Lago d'Orta" (in Italian). ItaliaSquisita. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ Koh, Meryl (7 March 2017). "9 Top Female Chefs To Celebrate This International Women's Day". Michelin Guide. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Al Sorriso". Gourmetpedia. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ "Luisa VALAZZA : restaurant Al Soriso à Sorriso (Italie)" (in French). è molto goloso. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ Montgomery, Andrea (22 July 2014). "Home Grown Perfection at Hotel and Restaurant Al Sorriso, Italy". Buzz Trips. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ Corsini, Raethia (2011). Spiriti bollenti (PDF) (in Italian). Guido Tommasi Editore. p. 177-. ISBN 978-88-96621-226. Retrieved 14 October 2019.