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The Mediterranean Diet: A Delicious and Healthy Choice for Private Chefs in NYC

Being born in a family of farmers and fishermen in Puglia, a region of over 700 km of Adriatic crystal blue waters coastline in the Southern eastern part of Italy in the heart of the Mediterranean, gave me the opportunity to grow up with some of the healthiest food and lifestyle in the world, The Mediterranean Diet. After achieving my Diploma in Hotel and Culinary School in Castellana Grotte, Italy, I traveled the world seeking new work and life opportunities to learn from. It wasn’t until I moved to New York City in 2000 and having worked for a few different type of restaurants from Italian, to French, to American, and having met all different people from every culture and background i came to realize how lucky I am to have been grown up in a household surrounded by seasonal organic produce, handmade pastas and breads, wild caught fish, all different type of pulse, plenty of fruit, dairy products from family friends and having my father make extra virgin olive oil, tomato sauce and wine for family consumption.

Every day, we sat down around our dinner table and it was a celebration, dry nuts at the end of everyday lunch meal and a nap afterwards was the culmination of a blessed day. Based on these principles of the Mediterranean diet that in 2010 I founded a Private Chef and Hospitality company in New York City which is today called Alloro New York Private Dining where, with my team, we bring an authentic Italian culinary experience right inside our client’s home in New York and the Tri-state area. This approach mirrors my mission as a personal chef to share my treasured heritage of Puglia and Italy as whole, so the long-forgotten, centuries-old recipes of Southern Italy become once in a lifetime dining experience.

As an Italian private chef working in New York City, nutrition aspects are often key points when designing menus for my guests.

The Mediterranean diet has been touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world, including the United States. In this article, I will discuss the importance of the Mediterranean diet and how it can be beneficial for my guests in NYC.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet is a way of living and eating which is based on the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Italy, Greece, and Spain.

Italian personal chef

Rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil. It also includes moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, and eggs, and small amounts of red meat.
The Mediterranean diet is not just about what you eat, but also about how you eat and when you eat. It encourages people to enjoy their food and eat slowly, as well as to share meals with family and friends at the dinner table. This style of eating and living has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

Why is the Mediterranean Diet Important?

The Mediterranean diet has been studied extensively over the years, and there is plenty of evidence to support its benefits. Some of the key benefits include:

Reducing cardiovascular diseases;
Lowering the risk of cancer;
Improving brain function;
Supporting weight loss.

The backbone of the Mediterranean is certainly the type of fat used in everyday cooking or to lightly dress food and that is the olive oil having a monounsaturated structure and rich in antioxidants, A big role is also played by ingredients rich in fiber, type of high grains for pastas and breads, legumes, fish, dairy and the use of nuts to complete a meal.

As a private chef in NYC, I have the opportunity to introduce my guests to the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. By incorporating Mediterranean ingredients and flavors into my dishes, I can help my guests to enjoy delicious, healthy meals that support their overall health and well-being.

Here are some ways I incorporate the Mediterranean diet into my menus:

Selecting some of the world’s best olive oil produced in Puglia for our line of products at Alloro instead of butter or other oils when cooking;
Include plenty of organic seasonal vegetables and fruits in your dishes, such as roasted, steamed or raw vegetables;
Use whole grains such as ancient grains imported directly from Italy, for our handmade pastas and breads and organic brown rice;
Add nuts, seeds, and legumes to your dishes for extra protein and fiber;
Choose lean proteins such as fish or poultry instead of red meat.

Whether I am preparing a family-style dinner, a dinner for a special occasion or a romantic meal for two, the Mediterranean diet can provide a delicious and healthy foundation for your menu.
In addition, I can craft and develop a variety of recipes to accommodate personal food orientations and preferences for everyday home meals.