Table talk with Giovanni Rana...
By Matt Murphy.
Name: Giovanni Rana
Occupation: chef
Place of birth: Verona

Favourite food: anything home-cooked and Italian (particularly pasta)
Favourite wine: I love a good Italian Pinot Grigio because it compliments the food I eat. I also enjoy a good local wine like a Bordolino or a Soave.

Foods you dislike: Not many really. I like to try lots of new things.

Matt: Do you have a special memory of food from your childhood?

Giovanni: I used to get really excited when we had big family meals at the weekend. I also have fond memories of making pasta with my first girlfriend. What isn’t such a good memory was having to get up in the middle of the night when I helped my brothers to make the bread

Matt: Have you ever seduced anyone or been seduced at the dinner table?

Giovanni: Only my wife, Laura, but I like to say that she was the one doing the seducing!

Matt: Describe your relationship with food outside of work.

Giovanni: I’ve always loved food and my whole family is very passionate about cooking – and eating! Outside of work, I like exploring new cuisines and cooking methods. I am quite traditional at heart though and will always come back to my Italian roots when I’m in the kitchen.


Matt: If you could invite some famous people to dinner. Who would they be?


Giovanni: I would love to cook for the Queen – I think she’d be a great guest. And I’d think it’d be great to have my Giovanni Rana mamas (competition winners who are now spokespeople for the brand) round to cook for.


Matt: The ingredient or product you use most often when cooking?


Giovanni:That one’s easy: olive oil of course. I’m certain that is what every Italian will tell you.


Matt: Your favourite Giovanni Rana product?


Giovanni: I love the uniqueness of the prosciutto crudo and cheese cappeletti, and gnocchi is something that is perfect for any occasion.


Matt: When you have special dinner guests,what menu do you cook for them?


Giovanni: My wife and I eat pasta, maybe, four nights a week. I’ll normally cook a big lasagne or something like that if we have lots of guests round – it’s always well received


Matt: What do you eat when no one is watching?


Giovanni: At my age I am past feeling guilty about what I eat. I do have a soft spot for good dark chocolate from time to time and I enjoy my wine. But, you’re allowed a few luxuries!


Matt: What do you really think of British food?


Giovanni: I honestly like it. You have some wonderful chefs and the British are good at catering for every taste. Although I have to admit, I’ve never been tempted by fish and chips!


Matt: Favourite Italian restaurant or chef?


Giovanni: Gino d’Accampo is a chef I admire because he is so young and has achieved so much. I even saw him on that TV show of yours (Ready, Steady Cook) and I think he’s a great ambassador for our culture and food.


Matt: What foods would you take with you to a desert island?


Giovanni: How many am I allowed?! I think I’d try and take things to be self-sufficient. Like a chicken for my eggs and my vegetable garden from home.


Matt: You receive some good news. What do you celebrate with?


Giovanni: My family, good food and good wine. What more could I want?!


Matt: What is never missing in your fridge at home?


Giovanni: My fridge?! In my cupboard it would be olive oil and flour. My fridge is normally full of eggs and vegetables. My family and I cook with a lot of fresh ingredients so we have a very big fridge.


Matt: How do you keep in shape?


Giovanni: Good food and a happy mind keep me young. I believe that if you enjoy life, eat well and are happy, it’s easy to stay in shape.


Matt: If I gave you a potato, what would you do with it?


Giovanni: Probably make gnocchi or a potato salad if it’s summer time, with lots of red onion, fresh vegetables and maybe crispy pancetta.


Matt: Name a food or cuisine you’ve never tried but would like to?


Giovanni: I’d love to go to Japan and try proper Japanese cuisine. It’s a really healthy diet and I love soy sauce so think I’d enjoy their dishes.


Matt: Would you prefer a slap up dinner or an evening with a beautiful woman?


Giovanni: Can I not have both?! An evening with my wife, of course. There is no question!


Thank you for your time today Signor Rana, I hope we can speak again soon.


Giovanni Rana's new ranges are in all local supermarkets. Make sure you try it soon – it's all very good.