Born in the countryside outside Modena, Italy, chef Valentino Cassanelli loved cooking with his grandmother as a kid. This led him straight to the local catering college and to traineeships in London and further placements in Modena. London’s scene was a draw and he returned to England to work at Mosaic, Locanda Locatelli and Nobu before being lured back to Italy to work in Milan, Venice and Forte dei Marmi – where Cassanelli opened Lux Lucis in 2012. It received its first Michelin star in 2017.

The best advice I ever got

Life is too short to wait.

My life motto

Viva la vita. 

I am currently reading

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

My most played music track

Probably Perfect Day by Lou Reed

If I didn’t do my current job I would be

Something to do with music.

Skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have 

Play music. And I’m still learning cooking…

My favourite kind of exercise

Intense and true.

I relax while

Travelling, listening music and dreaming by the beach.

I collect

Experiences.

My essential newspaper/magazine

Il Fatto Quotidiano and L’Espresso magazine.

My desert-island wine

An Amarone from Dal Forno

I have learnt a lot from

My family, every day, and all my team.

My last meal and sip will be

Bread, ham, cheese and good wine.