Chef profile: Gustavo Giallonardo, chef director at Oriole

What was your first job?

My father’s business (a fruit and veg market from our farm)

What was your first job in catering?

I worked at Restauant L’biblo in Buenos Aires 

What do you do to relax?

Watch football and rugby

Which is your favourite restaurant?

Don Julio in Buenos Aires

What is your favourite drink?

Beer

What is your favourite food/cuisine?

Argentinian Asado. I also like Spanish food and, especially since travelling to Japan, sushi.

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

Globe artichoke

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with? If so, why?

Globe artichoke!

What flavour combinations do you detest?

Hot nuts. I like nuts, but not when they’re hot!

What do you always carry with you?

My headphones 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

My neighbour in Argentina – he never went to the shop or supermarket, and made everything from scratch at home. Bread, wine, cured meat. He said that if the world ended he could live in his house for 10 years and that blew my mind!

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

Messi 

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

Covid 

What irritates you most about the industry?

It’s difficult to find good staff

What’s your favourite book?

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain 

If you had more time, what would you do?

Watch more football

Image credit: Eleonora Boscarelli, @ely.bsc_photography