Federico Pitasi is hard at work crafting Restaurant Two14’s upcoming Taste of Italy event. Photo: Restaurant Two14.
Who are you?
My name is Federico, and I am the head chef of Restaurant Two14 at Deco Hotel on Northbourne Avenue.
Tell me about your role at Restaurant Two14?
My role consists of running the kitchen operations every day, supporting, leading, and managing my team to achieve clear targets.
What is your favourite or must-use ingredient when cooking?
Anything fresh, but I especially love a good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
What’s your current favourite dish?
Pasta and Pizza.
Are there any upcoming projects you’re working on?
Yes! We have an original event called Taste of Italy, where we will showcase the region’s culinary traditions on the 28th of March. That includes a five-course degustation menu with imported Sicilian wine.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
That would be the person who first sponsored me a few years ago, that’s Oktay Irmak. He owned a cafe in Manuka called On Flinders, just next to Public.
What’s your morning routine?
These days, I get up, get the kids ready for school, do a little housework and fitness, then it’s straight to work.
What’s your favourite book?
One is Legacy, about the All Blacks by James Kerr, and another is The Spy and The Traitor, about the Cold War.
Where do you like to go out for coffee in Canberra?
I like to go to Bungendore, actually. There’s a place called The Gathering that’s my favourite coffee spot.
When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, where do you go and what do you eat?
That would be Edgar’s Inn. It’s a nice pub, and they do a great wood-fired pizza, so that’s my favourite place.
Where are you travelling to next:
I’m going to the south coast, just going down to Mollymook, Moruya and Tuross.
What are three words you would use to describe Canberra?
Probably family, business and bush.
@this.is.canberra This is Restaurant Two14 🍝 Located inside the Deco Hotel at 214 Northbourne Ave, Braddon. #ThisIsCanberra #CanberraLocals #CanberraTok #Canberra #CanberraFood
What’s your advice for someone starting in their career?
Just believe in yourself.
If someone had 24 hours to spend in Canberra, where should they go and what should they do?
Well, I think Canberra is about the bush, hiking and rivers, so I’d tell people to check out the nature reserves, the Arboretum, Stromlo forest, that’s what I like.
Restaurant Two14 is located at the Deco Hotel, 214 Northbourne Ave, Braddon. For more information about Restaurant Two14 and its menu, visit its website.
