Gennaro Contaldo

"Beautiful, classic recipes made with passion, by the man who taught me everything I know about Italian cooking."

Gennaro Contaldo is one of the most respected chefs in London as well as a renowned personality in his own right. He is widely known as the Italian legend who taught Jamie Oliver all he knows about Italian cooking.

Born in Minori on the Amalfi Coast, Gennaro’s quintessentially Italian spirit and positive nature has made him a TV favourite. He regularly appears on Saturday Kitchen as well as his own TV show, the highly successful Two Greedy Italians.

His first cookbook, Passione, published in 2003 won Best Italian Cook Book 2003’, at the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards and was short listed for the André Simon Award. He has since written many other books on Italian cooking.

He has his own Food Tube channel online where you can see him cook delicious dishes.

What style and cuisine does Gennaro Contaldo focus on?

He writes Italian cookbooks emphasizing classic, regional and family-style recipes from the Amalfi Coast and broader Italian tradition, covering everything from everyday meals to baking and lemon-led dishes.

Which book is best to start with?

Passione is a good starting point since it is award-recognised and showcases his classic recipes; for quicker everyday cooking try Gennaro's Fast Cook Italian, and for slow comfort cooking choose Gennaro's Slow Cook Italian.

Are his recipes suitable for beginner cooks?

Yes. Many of his books focus on simple, accessible recipes, time-saving techniques and money-saving meals designed for home cooks at various skill levels.

Does Gennaro Contaldo have TV shows or online videos where I can watch him cook?

Yes. He regularly appears on shows such as Saturday Kitchen, presented the series Two Greedy Italians, and has video content on his Food Tube channel.

Has he received any notable awards for his cookbooks?

Yes. His first cookbook, Passione, won Best Italian Cook Book 2003 at the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards and was shortlisted for the André Simon Award.