Who is ilcuoco?

My name is Marco Mario Vercellone and I have been immersed in Italian cooking all of my life – literally!

When my mother was expecting me, she was working as a chef at “Il Bongust”, a family-owned restaurant in Milan. She was so dedicated to cooking that she continued working into her ninth month of pregnancy, and I was actually born in the kitchen of the restaurant!

I grew up eating my mother’s wonderful cooking while I studied to become a land surveyor.

All during my working life I cherished a passion for the cuisine of my homeland and loved preparing my mother’s recipes at home for friends and family. At the age of 50, I decided to end my professional career and return to my roots in order to pursue my passion for Italian cuisine.

I began to study and learn the traditional recipes of Italy’s various regions – from northwest Piedmont and Liguria down to the southern tip of Sicily and all the areas in between, including the many smaller islands. I am especially inspired by the “mammas” and their way of combining flavors to create delicious family meals. These distinctive tastes and aromas are the basis of Mediterranean cuisine, and they are reflected in all of the dishes I prepare.

I always use simple, fresh ingredients such as vegetables, fish, dairy products and sometimes meat. All of these dishes are suitable to vegetarian and vegan diets, allowing everyone to sample and enjoy this wonderful, healthful cuisine.

So, I invite you to join me on an exploration of Italy. Travel with me through its many regions and discover this beautiful country and the authentic flavors of the Mediterranean.

Let’s get started!

ILCUOCO

LE MIE PROPOSTE

Let’s go Shopping!

Once you choose your menu from the list of suggested typical regional dishes, you can decide if you would prefer me to buy all the ingredients, or if you would like to accompany me to the market and learn how to select the best Italian products for each dish.

We can also select corresponding wines to enhance the meal.

I Will Cook for You!

If your kitchen has adequate counter space and a stove with at least two burners, I can cook for you in your home.

I can prepare the meal myself, or you can assist me in order to learn new cooking techniques and to be inspired by a real Italian chef!

(Note: Please inform me in advance of any food allergies or intolerances)

I Will also Set the Table and Serve the Guests

Using your tableware and décor items, I will set the table according to the menu. I will personally serve the meal, explaining the various courses and ingredients that you are about to enjoy. I can also choose and serve the wines that will best accompany the meal.

Kitchen Clean-up

I will clean up the kitchen after the meal is prepared; if you have chosen the table-setting option, I will also stay and wash the dishes. You may choose to do this yourself, or outsource to a third party.

Italian Cooking Workshops

In addition to my Chef for Rent services, I offer workshops in Italian cooking where you will learn the secrets of preparing typical regional Italian dishes. After cooking together, we will enjoy our creations, with or without a selection of Italian wines specially selected to accompany the dishes we have prepared.

These workshops are a fun and unique gift for friends, family or colleagues. They are also great team-building exercises, and can be given as a “bonus” to thank employees at the end of a big project, or as a reward for goals achieved.