His presentation was dedicated to his grandparents, Rosina & Secondino.

Each judge received a menu card.

Details:

“I am extremely proud of my humble beginnings in Italy where money was never a priority but good home cooked food was never missing from our table…”

“Food, Passion and Love…that is what I grew up with…and I could have never asked for a better childhood!…”

“When you acknowledge, as you must, that there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it, then the real purpose of striving toward perfection becomes clear: to make people happy…”

“That’s what cooking is all about…and as I say to my staff and friends all the time…do not ever forget where you came from because it is what made you who you are today!”

Date: Wednesday, June 5

Location: Buzo Osteria Italiana

Menu:

In Italian: Polenta Croccante con fonduta ai quattro formaggi e tartufo, funghi arrosto e scaglie di prosciutto stagionato

In English: Crispy polenta with four cheeses fondue, truffle, roasted mushrooms and house-made prosciutto chips

Goodie bag: Cristian gave each judge a Buzo goodie bag with fresh basil and cookies — all reminders of his heritage.