The ‘no garlic or onion’ chef

Cinzia Cuneo April 28, 2015 FODMAP, Restaurants

In Italy, he is among the most recognisable and best-known chefs, on account of his numerous TV appearances and his rather unconventional background (he learned to cook in prison, where he spent eight months by mistake), but Filippo La Mantia is above all someone who loves to swim against the tide, because he has banned two ingredients from his restaurant that are indispensable to any other self-respecting chef: garlic and onion.

It’s a given that these two bulbs form the basis of almost every cuisine in the world and they also have excellent nutritional properties, but sadly, fragile intestines may have a hard time digesting them*, which explains why Filippo La Mantia steers clear of them. To compensate for this exclusion, this chef had to completely revisit the cuisine of his native Sicily, which, like everywhere else, highlights garlic and onion.

Judging by his growing clientele, his gamble has paid off. If you are ever in Milan, stop by at his latest restaurant for a unique fine dining experience.

In the meantime, try our “Spaghetti with citrus pesto“, inspired by this chef’s most famous dish.

*Garlic and onion are key ingredients that should not be present in the Low FODMAPs diet (for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Author

Cinzia Cuneo

Cinzia Cuneo, founder of SOSCuisine.com, never wanted to neglect the quality of her food. She shares her special expertise to make good food quickly and without complications!