Gennaro’s Pasta Perfecto! Cookbook by Gennaro Contaldo

Known to many as the chef who taught Jamie Oliver about pasta, Gennaro Contaldo is passing on a wealth of pasta knowledge in Pasta Perfecto! A cookbook filled with over 100 recipes from all over Italy, it reflects his theory that “there is no limit to the joys of pasta.”

Neatly dividing his chapters into four types of pasta – for dried, fresh, filled and baked pasta dishes – plus a chapter dedicated to sauces and stocks, Gennaro offers traditional Italian classics and inventive variations that are sure to please everyone, even those on a strict budget. An inexpensive staple that can be easily transformed into a luxurious meal, pasta’s beauty lies in the fact that it’s simple to prepare, exceptionally versatile and can be made to suit any occasion, which is probably why it has become a popular food all over the world.

Featuring tempting recipes such as lasagne four ways, classic minestrone soup, homemade ravioli and perfect pesto, there are dishes that can be whipped up quickly for the whole family and make for easy entertaining too.

The book is filled with interesting snippets on the origins of each recipe, cooking anecdotes, and hints and tips for alternative ingredients, as well as helpful advice on which pasta shapes are best with each sauce and what equipment you might need.

To quote Jamie Oliver: “There’s nothing Gennaro doesn’t know about pasta. He’s an absolute legend!”

Features beautiful photography by celebrated photographer David Loftus.

About Gennaro Contaldo

Born in Minori on the Amalfi Coast, Gennaro is a business partner of Jamie Oliver – appearing in every episode of Jamie Cooks Italy – responsible for recipe creation and training of Jamie’s pasta chefs. A passionate chef and renowned TV personality in his own right, he has his own YouTube food channel, and an award-winning restaurant in London. Author of many cookbooks, when he’s not writing or teaching, he loves to spend time in Norfolk with his wife and daughters.