Valentino Cucina Italiana is regarded as one of the top restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Florida serving a cuisine that’s described as “innovative with a modern Italian twist” since opening in 2006. Chef-owner Giovanni Rocchio, who had trained at various restaurants in New York and Italy, has put together a guest chef series where he invites his chef-friends to cook at his restaurant, three or four times a year.
My partner and I were happy to have been in Florida for the guest dinner featuring Hong Kong-based Ricardo Chaneton (the Venezuelan-born chef works at a fine dining restaurant at a five-star hotel there; google him!), who was previously chef de cuisine at Mauro Colagreco’s Mirazur for seven years. Giovanni met Ricardo at Mirazur when the former was dining at the two Michelin-starred restaurant in Menton, France. They hit it off and stayed in touch. This is actually Ricardo’s second time to cook at Valentino.
Unlike the typical four hands that permeates most of the dining scene, the dinner format was more of a “take over” wherein all the dishes we had that night were Ricardo’s. Even though I’ve known Ricardo for a while– I first met him at the Nespresso event in Tokyo in 2016 and have seen him at numerous events in Hong Kong– this was the first time I was actually going to try his food– so I was excited! And let me tell you that it did not disappoint. He served one of the most memorable frog legs dish I’ve had– in the form of a ragout with madras curry! And he introduced how peaches and basil can coalesce into a delicate sweet-savory union. (Keep scrolling!)
The format worked because it allows for a beautiful synergy: the spotlight on the guest chef (where the entire menu is his) with a support system from the host chef, which actually displays a deep humility and a willingness to learn. (Giovanni gamely assisted in cooking and plating, leading his team in support of his visiting friend). And in the end, everyone learned something from each other, amid much camaraderie.
Here’s a visual recap of what we had. xx
Valentino Cucina Italiana is located at 620 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 USA. For more information, phone +1 (954) 523-5767, email valentinoprivatedining@gmail.com or visit valentinocucinaitaliana.com
For more information on their guest chef series, visit their Facebook page here.
