Pala - Born a Chef

Copyright 2011 by Paolo Pala. 302742-PALA

ISBN: Ebook 978-1-4990-9623-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Xlibris

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

Contents

Chapter 1
So began the journey of my life. A journey of ups and downs; of happiness, and sometimes sadness.

Chapter 2
(The first time I cooked pasta)

Chapter 3
(Enjoying cooking)

Chapter 4
(The Killing of a fifteen year old boy: Antonio Orru)

Chapter 5
(Bringing dinner to granddad in the vineyard)

Chapter 6
(Goats in the mountains)

Chapter 7
(The Killing of the Pig)

Chapter 8
(The Killing of Caiddu)

Chapter 9
(The Grain Harvest)

Chapter 10
(Grapes Harvest)

Chapter 11
Su Pranteri - Spring Onions

Chapter 12
(Mariangela my Oldest Sister)

Chapter 13
(Guardians of the Vineyard)

Chapter 14
(The Picnic)

Chapter 15
(Wild Mushrooms)

Chapter 16
(Bad Feelings About?....)

Chapter 17
(The Pineddu i Mallingioni)

Chapter 18
The Rocks that My Father Built the House with Perda De Ferru Stone of Steel

Chapter 19
(My First Communion)

Chapter 20
(The Santa Caterina Festivities)

Chapter 21
(Great Grandma)

Chapter 22
(Il Bandito Mesina)

Chapter 23
(My First Job)

Chapter 24
(The Way to Milan)

Chapter 25
(In Milan Looking for a Job)

Chapter 26
(The Holiday Back to my Roots. Home)

Chapter 27
(The New Job after Holiday)

Chapter 28
(The Journey to the Real Army Camp)

Chapter 29
(Back to Milano)

Chapter 30
(Del Gallo Al Cantinone)

T his is a story of a young boy, a smart kid. He later became a chef, his food appreciated by so many for its simplicity and taste.

This book is dedicated to my loved ones; those who are gone, those who are still here. They have a special place in my heart, and they are always in my thoughts.

The first one is my great grandmother, Anna Irene. You filled my heart with love and happiness the first few years of my life. You are always in my heart. July 1872-1959, age 87.

And you Nonna Vechia, I was blessed to have you as my Nonna. You filled the first fifteen years of my life with joy. You, together with granddad, will always be on top of my list for those wonderful years before I left for Milano. Your tears of happiness welcomed me whenever I visited. You, with your open arms, held me so tight, with never ending kisses. You embraced me, you wouldnt let go. It wasnt very nice to leave home at such a young age, to leave behind all those wonderful times. You died of old age, still looking as beautiful as ever. I wasnt there to say farewell, and as I am writing this my eyes are full of tears. Oh how much I miss you. 9th April 1898-30th July 1992, age 94. I will never forget you until the day I die, and we will meet again in heaven.

Then there is my Mamma. You are just like my grandma, your mamma. You had thirteen children, and worked so hard to keep us all in good health. Yes, you had done your best. How you suffered, losing your husband at such a young age, then your first born, Nicolino, followed by your other son, Matteo. Even after all this you are alive and well. You are now 89 and still going strong. I hope you live to be 100, I love
you Mamma.

Then my father, whom I loved so much. What a father he was. You taught me so much about life and I am very grateful. There is an emptiness in my heart, I miss you and I miss your cuddles and I tuoi Abbraci still now after 40 years: I still remember you. I dont think that any other son has missed his father like I have you. I remember 7 January 1971, the day you died. That day, something felt terribly wrong.

Then comes along Alicia Sophia, my first granddaughter, from my firstborn James Efisio Paolo. He, like me, left home very young. I will always regret that I never gave him the love that he deserved, because of
my work.

So you baby Alicia, you now fill that emptiness in my heart. You are not talking yet, but you will soon, and I will be waiting to hear your first words. Which ones will they be? Will they be Hello Nonno, finally I can call your name. I love you so much, for the way you are with me, and the good food you have been cooking for me since the day I was born. Yes my beautiful baby girl, I love you too, you always have a special place in my heart.

A big thank you to James for looking after me and your Mum in Malaysia and for our beautiful granddaughter Alicia Sophia.

A special thank you to our youngest son Daniel for all your hard work with this book without your unending help this book and the websites (www.paolopala.me and www.bornachef.com) would never have been finished, God gave me the best sons in the world.

The four best days of my life were the day James Efisio, Daniel Giovanni and Alicia Sophia were born, and the day I got married.

You are all the world to me and forever in my heart and prayers.

Love Nonno Pala

T he other most important person in my life is my wife Bernadette. She has been the one to say, write a cookery book, and I am glad I did. I really enjoyed writing this book, considering that I never wrote anything in my life before.

A special thanks to Ahmad Angawi, a very good customer and a very good friend who helped me put this book together. Without him I wouldnt have had a clue. Thank you.

Front cover photograph by Robin Seng.

Food photography by Robin Seng.

This is a work of truth. Characters, places, and incidents that happened are real.

A big thank you to some of the best staff I have had work with me;

Ignazio Cirina, Giulio Troiano, Emine Guler and George from the Cameroon.

From Manchester customers that became great friends; Alan Torevell, Peter Rickett, Dr Chip Johnson, Bernard Lester and his brother Rick. Paul Lee, Mr Finch, Steve Cox, Mr Drew, Barry Whitby, Ged and Jean Hayes, Francesco Cordeschi Italian consulate, Andy Dolfin, Mr Woodworth director of The Co operative Bank, Charles and Greg Hewitt from Rock Oil, Mr Middleton, Syd Arron, David Livet, cast members from Coronation Street, Gerry Yeung, Tom Jones, Tom Conti, David Soul, Tomas Miliam, Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Nadia & Nader Halabi, Sharon & Brenden Dahill-Rowan, Folco de Luca Gabrielli Ambassador of Italy and many more, you all made my hard life in the restaurant so interesting and enjoyable I thank you and god Bless you always.

By Paolo Pala

Copyright All rights are reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, without written permission.

Published simultaneously in Malaysia. In memory of my Nonna Vechia, Maria Loi.

S ardinia is an island in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. There, right in the province of Nuoro, lays my native village called Orroli, a village situated 800 metres above sea level.

The year was 1949. The month was January, the date 2nd. It was a Sunday, 11 am to be precise. That was when I was born.

I was the sixth in a family of six, which later grew to thirteen: 8 brothers and 5 sisters. 1st was Nicolino, 2nd Mariangela, 3rd Marco, 4th Rosa, 5th Benigno, 6th Paolo (thats me), 7th Lucia, 8th Pietro, 9th Teresa, 10th Matteo, 11th Marcello, 12th Luisanna, and finally 13th, Gianni.