Margaret Dovigo

If I had to pick, my meatballs and polenta. The polenta is served on a large platter, and the meatballs, and its sauce is poured over the hot polenta. Everyone is waiting for the other person to dig in, but eventually the masterpiece is attacked. It gets pretty quiet, except for the moans coming from everyone indulging in their meal. The meatballs are soft, moist while the polenta is just setting, and is soaking up the sauce. The sage, garlic and shallot delicately flavours the tomato sauce.

MY culinary inspiration is, and will always be, to inspire others that they too, can bring simple ingredients together, and create a meal that is delicious. If you can read and follow instructions, you can follow a recipe. If it doesn't turn out right, you try again. Before you know it you will have created a meal that will be requested many times. Also, using cooking as a mental health strategy. Cooking is very therapeutic, can re set a mindset, and is also very social.

I would plan my dream holiday! Take a trip to Bologna, Italy and take fresh pasta classes. Next, travel to Tuscany and pair wines with meals. Then, Milano and learn the art of making panettone or pandoro. Absorb all of Italy's culture treasures like fresh burrata, ricotta, and the many other cheeses made with goats milk or buffalo milk. Can not forget parmigiano reggiano, Parma prosciutto, Modena for balsamic vinegar, and the many bread ovens, and pastry shops.