Martina Caruso, star of the Michelin Guide, 2016 edition, Chef of the Signum Restaurant on the Island of Salina (Sicily), is the feminine talent of Italian cuisine: the Atelier des Grandes Dames, promoted by Veuve Clicquot and Michelin, awarded her the Female Chef Award 2019. Born in 1989, Martina Caruso takes her first steps in the kitchen in the family structure, which offers a wonderful view of Stromboli and Panarea. At 23 he replaces his father in restaurant management. During the winter closing months goes to school with different starred chefs: in London, at Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver, and in Italy from Antonello Colonna and from Pipero al Rex in Rome, from Gennaro Esposito of the Torre del Saracino in Vico Equense which have marked her growth path and which have enriched her professionally. Passionate dreamer, she immediately attracts the attention of critics for her cuisine, the result of careful study and is distinguished by freshness and lightness of raw materials, creative flash and mastery of the technique. Balance and dynamism are the fundamental ingredients of his dishes, in which all the nuances of the islands and the sea that surrounds them are appreciated. As a great supporter of small Sicilian producers, her mission is to grow and enhance the island's heritage through his kitchen. His secret? “I listen to the territory, I follow the emotions, for me cooking is an act of freedom”.
Michelin star since the 2016 edition, the youngest starred in Italy, celebrated "cook of the year" by Identità Golose, and awarded as "emerging cook" by Gambero Rosso, she offers a local and Mediterranean cuisine open to interregional and international contaminations based on the aromas of the island. There is no shortage of tradition that Martina proposes in her own way, with the courage of those who want to evolve and never be banal. A cuisine that the Michelin Guide inspectors define as structured, but at the same time fresh and delicate with original proposals that enhance the flavors and aromas of local products. Martina Caruso receives the Michelin Chef Donna 2019 award for her great will and ability to progress and to represent her radiant island, through a great technique and the feminine touch of a passionate and determined young woman.
Before her, the Michelin Chef Donna award was assigned to Caterina Ceraudo, of il Dattilo, in Strongoli, on the Calabrian hills and, in the last edition, to Fabrizia Meroi of the Laite restaurant in Sappada, a mountain village between Friuli and Veneto.
Martina is one of the 43 chefs in charge of starred restaurants in Italy (which are 41 in total). All over the world there are 169 chefs.
The special Michelin Chef Donna 2019 by Veuve Clicquot award is one of the awards assigned by Michelin in recognition of successful Italian stories that contribute to the excellence of our nation's cultural heritage: the Young Chef Michelin 2019 award was assigned to Emanuele Petrosino, I Portici *, Bologna, The Michelin 2019 Quality Over Time award was assigned to Hélène Stoquelet, La bottega del 30 **, Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI), the Michelin Room Service Award 2019 was assigned to Barbara Manoni , Casa Perbellini *, Verona, The Passion for Wine Michelin 2019 award was assigned to Auguštin Devetak, Locanda Devetak, Savogna d'Isonzo (GO).
