Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection (2006)

S2E7 Risotto

Heston delved into the classic Italian dish, risotto. His journey took him to Lombardy, where he met Gualtieri Marchesi, the chef behind a renowned saffron risotto embellished with gold leaf, which has earned him three Michelin stars. After honoring traditional culinary masters, Heston sought inspiration from contemporary chef Carlo Cracco, who experiments with unique flavors in his risottos, incorporating ingredients like instant coffee and anchovies. He also explored two of Italy's premier rice producers before returning home, where he faced the daunting task of reinventing this seemingly simple dish, which proved to be one of his toughest challenges.