School canteens in Abruzzo are 'starred' with chef Romito

Starred cuisine enters school canteens, starring the three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito. In Abruzzo comes #iomangioascuola, the project promoted by the Region to rethink the school catering model by focusing on quality, health, training and scientific research.

Set up in synergy with the Niko Romito Academy, Abruzzo's local health authorities and the Regional Committee of Abruzzo Universities, the project is based on Regional Law 22 of 26 November 2021, which recognises the strategic importance of school catering in the policies of health, training and growth of the new generations. The Niko Romito Research and Higher Education Campus is thus recognised as one of the main initiatives to develop a catering model that combines health, wellness and advanced technologies.

The project is divided into three main axes: gastronomic research conducted by the Niko Romito Academy, to apply innovative techniques in support of the Asl guidelines; scientific research thanks to collaboration with universities; and training, with scholarships and facilitations for access to the academy. The heart of the initiative is the Niko Romito Method (Mnr), based on advanced cooking techniques - such as vacuum cooking, controlled steam and brine processing of vegetables - designed to preserve the nutritional properties of food, improve its organoleptic profile and reduce waste and operating costs.

"Haute cuisine, for me, is never an exercise in style as an end in itself, but a process of continuous research. And it is this research into the transformation of the raw material that today enters schools,' said Romito. 'The Region has had the foresight to invest in innovation, believing in the unprecedented synergy between the academy, local health authorities and universities. Teaching children to recognise quality,' added Niko Romito, 'means forming more aware adults and a healthier food chain'.

"Abruzzo is becoming a national laboratory of innovation in school catering," added Governor Marco Marsilio. "We put the same care as a great restaurant into our children's canteens, combining taste, health and scientific research. Investing in the future of the young people of Abruzzo means guaranteeing them good, healthy and affordable food every day, making our region a model for the entire country".