Risotto masterclass for winning chef of Tilda Arborio challenge

25th October 2010, 4:04pm

Dez Turland, group development chef for Brend Hotels, has just experienced a once in a lifetime masterclass with one of Italy's top chefs learning the art of risotto making using Tilda Arborio rice.

Turland, who is based at The Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon, won Tilda's Taste of Italy competition with his winning slogan – "Tilda is quite simply the best quality rice available, for its consistency, taste, texture and value, making it a must for any serious chef."

His reward was a trip to Lake Garda to enjoy the sights as well as the risotto masterclass hosted by husband and wife team Andrea and Lara Messini.

They showcased a four course risotto lunch using Arborio, a most prized rice from the valleys of the River Po in northern Italy, in their restaurant Le Gemme di Artemisia, which specialises in exclusive dining occasions and also doubles as a cookery school.

Turland said: "It was sheer delight to see two true professionals working with so much passion about what they believe in. It was a joy to be in their company – their knowledge is second to none. It was a trip that taught me the real values of cookery. It was a truly memorable masterclass and an experience I won't forget."

Just days after his return from Italy, Turland used the knowledge he gained during the culinary trip to carry out a cookery demonstration in front of a live audience at the North Devon Foodfest in Barnstaple. His dish of a perfect pumpkin and truffle risotto using Tilda Arborio "put to bed the myth of standing there and stirring in different directions for minutes on end".

Related Articles:

• 23 Apr 2010 - Tilda rice and Gourmet wine
• 04 Mar 2010 - Tilda Chef of the Year crowned
• 19 Apr 2007 - Italian flavours in a flash with Tilda

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