I'm an Italian chef — here are the most common food mistakes tourists make in my country

New York Post

12-05-2025

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It's important to adapt to the cultural rules of another country when visiting it — especially regarding food.
World-renowned Italian chef Massimo Bottura recently shared the food mistakes he often witnesses many travelers making when visiting his home country.
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According to Bottura, one of the biggest blunders is rushing a meal.
'In Italy, dining is not a transaction. It's a ritual. Meals are meant to stretch for hours.' That means sipping, talking, tasting, and letting go of rigid expectations around speed and structure,' he told Travel & Leisure in an interview.
3 'In Italy, dining is not a transaction. It's a ritual. Meals are meant to stretch for hours,' the chef explained.
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And if you're a picky eater by choice — that won't be tolerated by most waitstaff in Italy, according to Bottura.
'Asking for substitutions or off-menu changes in a traditional trattoria can come off as disrespectful,' he said. 'The chef's vision matters — it's part of the experience.'
3 Italian chef Massimo Bottura hard at work in the kitchen.
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When in Rome, do as the Romans do — so put down that soda and indulge in a glass of local wine, instead.
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'Each Italian region has its own incredible vintages. Exploring them is part of the adventure,' the chef explained.
Bottura isn't the first Italian to point out people's food mistakes.
A TikTok chef (@cookslasheat) took to the social media app to complain about how most people make Bolognese sauce — a slow-cooked meat-based sauce often served over pasta.
'This is a super simple dish — you do not need a jar of [tomato] sauce — which by the way is disgusting,' he said in his video that has been viewed over 205,000 times.
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'And you don't even need tomato — not from a can, and not from a vine.'
Similar to Bottura's sentiment about savoring every bite of a meal — this chef's method of making a good sauce is about taking your time and not rushing things.
'And if you want something that's quick for dinner, don't do something that needs to be slow-cooked,' chef Alex said.
After browning your meat and softening your veggies — onions, carrots, and some celery — add in tomato paste, garlic, a cup of red wine and a splash of water. The key to a good sauce, according to the TikTok chef, is letting it sit for one to three hours.
After that, the chef advised adding a splash of milk and pasta water to the Bolognese sauce before coating the pasta with it.
3 After that, the chef advised adding a splash of milk and pasta water to the Bolognese sauce before coating the pasta with it.
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And if you're wondering what type of pasta you should pair with the meat sauce: 'Fresh tagliatelle is delicious and oh so satisfying to twirl onto your fork when you're tucking into your dinner,' Chef Sophie Nahmad suggested to the Daily Express.
'Due to the wider shape, it's a great pasta to pair with a thick, meat-based sauce,' she said.