We had the good fortune of connecting with Luca Barolli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luca, why did you pursue a creative career?

Because it is the key to happiness, when your passion becomes your job you scored. I feel lucky to have been able to unite my two passions: food and art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Luca Barolli and I’m a personal chef and artist; owner of The Vespa Chef Italian Gourmet Experience.

For my clients, I really create an experience, teaching them skills and techniqes that my family has passed down for generations while simultaneously incorporating my love and passion for Art History which I studied in Parma, Italy.

I bring to my clients 3000 years of Italian history and tradition in a fun and entertaining environment, surrounded by my personal collection of contemporary art work. I spent my life learning about food and quality of food, art history, and wine pairings all while traveling around the world from India to Ethiopia, from New York to London. During this difficult time where we are facing a pandemic I decided to focus my creativity on creating a private experience for interested clients that would bring together all my knowledge and allow my clients to engage in something fun while learning and having a good time in my safe and cozy loft apartment.

A typical date night experience in my loft/art gallery may include tasting some Parmigiano Reggiano cheese that is 48 months old, 40 year old Aceto Balsamico di Modena, drinking an Aperol Spritz (a typical cocktail from Italy made of Prosecco, Aperol, Scwapps/club soda, and a splash of orange juice), with a projection of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ on the wall and me explaining the meaning of the painting and how it relates to food and art history during that period.  I really love to capture my clients’ imagination while describing the history; it’s something I am really passionate about.

Ultimately, what I want to pass along to my students and clients is comfort in cuisine and some basic traditional Italian cooking skills and recipes that are practical and that they can really use often.  That is the goal.  I sometimes travel to my clients’ homes, but my favorite is when they come to me.  I call my loft the Quanto Basta Gallery Kitchen in the heart of Midtown- the translation of Quanto Basta in English is the equivalent of “to taste” which is found in recipes when directed to add, for example, salt or pepper “to taste”.  It is meant to to capture the personalized experience that I offer in that space.  The space can accommodate a maximum of 8 guests, offers a permanent art show on the walls, a vinyl record player in the background, and…well… a whole lot more, come try and see for yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

For a one week trip, we start from Midtown, lots of options for every taste. In midtown you have easy access to the Museum and the Marta brings you everywhere. Inman Park, Cabbage Town, Goat Farm Art Center, East Atlanta, this city is fun and dynamic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would like to dedicate the Shoutout series to my parents, the two people who have always been by my side.  I am who I am because of Stefania and Pier. I would also like to recognize those who suffer from depression, and provide the following message: be curious, tomorrow can only get better, but you have to be there to see.

Instagram: Thevespachef
Facebook: Vespachef

Image Credits
Nondi Dunn

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