Learning from Italian Chefs & Stanley Tucci

Yes, it’s a random title. But I’ve recently become obsessed with Italian food after watching the new food series “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.” The Hollywood star of Italian heritage travels across all the regions of Italy experiencing the culinary delights specific to each place. Venice, Piedmont, Puglia & Umbria among others. 

A beautiful magical food experience. Really worth watching for foodies of course. But for those interested in watching art and excellence there is nothing better. It’s incredible watching the zest of the chefs who try to harness tradition with the new. 

I learned from the Michelin star awarded Costardi brothers and their new takes of risotto. “We like to take inspiration from what’s happening in our lives. From music, from television, from cinema, from art, from everything.”

It’s why generalists in the long run win. They are learning to put different things together. They end up being more creative and bring new perspectives to solving a problem. Focus is great and important. But being overly focused and specialized leads to creative cul de sacs. And they also end up as dead, boring people too. You want to be around people who are inspiring and alive, who take cues from everything around them. 

It’s as Tucci says in the show. “Adding new ingredients just makes the stew richer.” Life is like that I think.