Ep 2. Corrado Assenza

Chef's Table season 4 episode 2 centers around a man named Corrado Assenza, a pastry chef in Noto, Italy. Assenza has a passion for the desserts and sweets that Noto is famous for, and he has dedicated his career to preserving and revitalizing the traditions of Sicilian pastry making.

Through a series of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers learn about Assenza's upbringing and how he came to be where he is today. Assenza grew up in Noto, and his family has been in the pastry business for generations. His father owned a pastry shop, where he would spend his afternoons after school watching his parent's craft the delectable treats that would be sold the following day.

Assenza's passion for pastry-making only grew stronger as he got older, and he began experimenting with traditional Sicilian recipes, putting his own spin on them and inventing new desserts altogether. Eventually, he opened his shop, Caffe Sicilia, in the heart of Noto's historic center. Today, it is one of the most well-known pastry shops in all of Italy, and attracts visitors and locals alike.

The episode goes on to showcase Assenza's unique approach to pastry-making. He is dedicated to using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients, and this means sourcing his ingredients locally. Many of the items used in his pastries, such as almonds and pistachios, come from the surrounding countryside. He is also committed to using traditional techniques, and he does not use any modern equipment in his kitchen. This means that everything is done by hand, which is a time-consuming process but one that he feels is essential to preserving the traditions of Sicilian pastry-making.

In addition to his passion for pastry-making, Assenza is also a storyteller at heart. Each of his creations has a story behind it - whether it is inspired by a local legend or a childhood memory. For example, one of his signature desserts is a cannolo that is filled with fresh ricotta and candied orange peel. The orange peel comes from the town of Sciacca, which is famous for its oranges. Assenza tells the story of how his grandmother used to candy the orange peel, and he uses this technique in his pastry to pay homage to her.

The episode also delves into Assenza's personal life, showing him at home with his family and friends. He is a genuinely warm and welcoming person, and this is reflected both in the way he runs his shop and in his interactions with those around him. He is also committed to giving back to his community - he hosts events in his shop that raise money for local charities, and he is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Noto.

Overall, Chef's Table season 4 episode 2 is a fascinating look at a passionate and talented pastry chef who is dedicated to preserving the traditions of Sicilian pastry-making while also putting his own creative spin on them. Assenza's commitment to using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients and his dedication to traditional techniques make his pastry shop stand out, and his warm and welcoming personality makes him an endearing figure to watch.