It wasn’t as surgical as in the semi-final when he scored a sensational 104 out of 105 but in the end the doctor Paolo Locurto made it: he is the winner of the second edition of MessinTavola, the Rtp cooking show that kept many people from Messina glued to the TV every Tuesday. A success that for the second year in a row rewards a program that wants to tell the culinary traditions of Messina and talk about healthy food. Paolo Locurto, surgeon of the University Hospital of Messina, succeeds Roberto Antonuccio and in the final with his “Gold in the Strait” he won by just one point ahead of the brilliant Liliana Tomasello, who as a housewife made her skills in the kitchen count until the end. In third place was the thermo-hydraulic entrepreneur Mario Milano, also very good.
«I’m very happy – says Paolo – for me cooking is a way to relax when I come back from work. Once in the final I wanted to win, but I am satisfied with the path undertaken in this talent.” Disappointed for losing by one point but happy for the progress Liliana Tomasello: «Of course losing by one point hurts – she comments – but I’m happy to have convinced some judges who had doubts about me at the beginning of the broadcast. Congratulations to those who won.”
Applause also went to the judges of the cooking show hosted by Salvatore De Maria and Valeria Zingale which took place as usual in the evocative setting of the Corte dei Mari: on the jury were Alberto Palella (Confesercenti and creator of the Messina Street Food Fest), prof. Nico Cicero of the University, Antonella Ruggeri (owner of Corte dei Mari), Saro Gugliotta, president of AssoCibo, Maria Pia Madaudo of Cantine Camporè and chef Paolo Romeo. «We are delighted to have hosted this beautiful program – comments Antonella Ruggeri – which allowed us to give visibility to our restaurant, but above all to talk about food and quality food».
A success for the entire production starting from the editorial coordinator Mauro Cucè and continuing with the technical coordinator Roberto Travia, the direction of Antonio Grasso and the entire Pvk team and the Speed agents, with Beppe Amato in the lead.
And like last year, the winner of MessinTavola will cook tomorrow evening during the Messina Street Food Fest, when the awards ceremony will also be held on stage.
«Good cooking is one of my passions – comments Salvatore De Maria – but it has turned into work. An even larger structure has been put in place to improve the format and make it even more interesting. And judging by the consensus we receive on a daily basis, the objective has been achieved. The permanent inclusion of a trained and established chef like Paolo Romeo in the working group gave that extra touch to the program.”
