Acclaimed chef-educator Paolo Monti and Iowa culinary program share long, savory partnership
“I was born (at a very young age) in a flour mill and bread bakery in a little riverside village….”
From the opening words of his online biography, even a casual observer might detect the subtle wit and la dolce vita approach to life inherent in Paolo Monti. The veteran
chef/educator/promoter/entrepreneur has endeared himself to thousands of visitors frequenting his “Cucina Italiana” cooking school in Lucca, Italy.
For nearly a decade, Chef Paolo has also exported his authentic, understated style to students, faculty and friends of Kirkwood Community College in Iowa. By turns host and guest, Monti has infused his learned and lived culinary wisdom to hundreds from the Hawkeye State.
The latest course in this international teaching buffet was a public demonstration and tasting at the new Hotel at Kirkwood Center on Saturday, Nov. 13. Monti intrigued, enticed and continually delighted scores of students, college supporters and gourmets alike in the facility’s new teaching auditorium classroom. Large high-definition screens let each attendee get a close-up view of the Italian chef’s precise yet homey style. The open design of the room allowed high visibility, with high-tech, unobtrusive microphones picking up each “bella” and “mi gusto” in the process.
Chef David Horsfield of Kirkwood’s Culinary faculty said Monti divided the demonstrations into two different approaches. “Chef Paolo presented two separate sessions for our students and guests—a traditional approach, then a more contemporary evaluation of Italian cuisine. The traditional menu featured Northern Italian classics such as Ravioli with Beef Ragu, assorted crustini, and the coffee-lover’s favorite, biscotti. His contemporary menu included Mussels with Sambuca, Grilled Tuna with Lettuce Sauce and Chef Paolo’s own version of Panna Cotta,” Horsfield recalled.
The new demonstration hall was abuzz with activity as Monti prepared individual portions of his dishes, while a team of student volunteers and Kirkwood faculty worked behind the scenes to simultaneously prepare and plate dishes for the scores of students to sample in the hall.
Since an initial visit to Monti’s Tuscan teaching kitchen in 2002, Hospitality Programs Chair Mary Jane German has been a fan and colleague.
“A friend and I had talked about visiting a regional cooking school for some time. Based on price and his program content, we chose Paolo’s course. We were truly delighted by the experience,” she said.
German came away from the trip convinced that Monti’s approach could be a plus for her Kirkwood culinary coursework. An invitation was sent and accepted, with Chef Paolo visiting Iowa to teach and demonstrate in February 2004.
“The students and faculty both were immediately impressed not only with Paolo’s knowledge and skills, but also with his sense of humor and engaging personality. He provided two cooking demonstrations in our labs that week, plus assisted the students with a special northern Italian dinner for the public as part of our yearly special cuisine series,” German added.
That visit proved enticing to 17 Kirkwood culinary students, who journeyed to experience Chef Paolo’s courses and tour the gourmet Mecca regions of Tuscany and Barolo. In addition to in-depth kitchen demonstrations, Monti took the students and attending faculty on tours of regional markets, vineyards and the famed meat and cheese town of Parma.
In the years since, Kirkwood Study Abroad tour calendars have often included Monti’s culinary adventures. German says the experiences have left lasting impressions on the students.
“I have had several of them tell me this trip ‘changed their lives.’ One of our students decided to participate in other culinary-focused study abroad trips to Japan and France, inspired by the visit with Chef Paolo. This is definitely one of the most enriching projects we have at Kirkwood,” German said.
Horsfield led a student Study Abroad team to northern Italy earlier in 2010. He said the Kirkwood students got a “deep immersion” in the business and culture of the region.
“Our students worked hands-on with local chefs in a variety of restaurant kitchens, including vineyards, a medieval castle and seaside village settings. These are the kinds of experiences that can enrich and change students’ lives,” he added.
Chef Paolo Monti’s culinary presence in Lucca would appear to be in high favor among visitors. The much-used website TripAdvisor.com recently showed the chef’s Cucina Italiana courses and tours as the #1 rated “Thing to Do” in the Italian town. “I’ve been cooking for 45 years and I learned more in four hours than I could ever have imagined,” raved one 5-star reviewer.
More information on Kirkwood’s Hospitality Programs courses is available on the college website: www.kirkwood.edu/hospitality
Information on The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is available at their website:
www.thehotelatkirkwood.com