My Books
Danilo Cortellini is a chef consultant turned content creator. He competed in 2015's BBC Two's MasterChef: The Professionals and has appeared on BBC One's Saturday Kitchen. He is the author of 4 Grosvenor Square: The Menu of the Italian Embassy in London
Pasta Rules
100 Ways To Shape, Sauce, And Serve (Published 2025)
Pasta is universally beloved, but if you want to elevate your game, you need to know the rules. In this book of 100 tips and tricks by Danilo Cortellini, chef and former head chef of the Italian embassy in London, you will learn how to make a variety of pasta doughs and shapes, what sauces and ingredients to pair them with, and how to serve and eat them authentically. Danilo, an Abruzzo native and pasta enthusiast himself, takes readers through each rule with thorough and straightforward guidance, so that anyone, no matter their culinary skill, can become a buona forchetta in their pasta-consuming circles. The book is organized into five sections, each dedicated to an essential component of pasta: pasta dough, pasta shaping, pasta cooking, pasta saucing, and tips for serving. Charming and instructive illustrations are featured throughout the book, making this a great gift for the novice (or more seasoned) chef in your life.
Better than Nonna
Modernised Italian Recipes (Published 2024)
Esteemed chef Danilo Cortellini is back and better than ever with his second book. From raviolo to risotto, Better than Nonna brings the classic comfort of Italian food but with a dazzling twist of adventurous new flavours. Danilo was Head Chef at the Italian Embassy for ten years before venturing onto our TV screens and making a big splash in MasterChef: The Professionals and appearances on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen. You might have seen his popular Instagram page (@danilocortellini). Give these recipes a go and see for yourself why they are Better than Nonna.
4 Grosvenor Square
The menu of the Italian Embassy in London (Published 2016)
Pasta is universally beloved, but if you want to elevate your game, you need to know the rules. In this book of 100 tips and tricks by Danilo Cortellini, chef and former head chef of the Italian embassy in London, you will learn how to make a variety of pasta doughs and shapes, what sauces and ingredients to pair them with, and how to serve and eat them authentically. Danilo, an Abruzzo native and pasta enthusiast himself, takes readers through each rule with thorough and straightforward guidance, so that anyone, no matter their culinary skill, can become a buona forchetta in their pasta-consuming circles. The book is organized into five sections, each dedicated to an essential component of pasta: pasta dough, pasta shaping, pasta cooking, pasta saucing, and tips for serving. Charming and instructive illustrations are featured throughout the book, making this a great gift for the novice (or more seasoned) chef in your life.
