'The Art of Pasta' book launch at Racine Restaurant - Nov 4th

Jess and I recently attended the Orange launch of The Art of Pasta by Lucio Galletto and it was such a beautiful evening I thought I'd share it with you. Held at Racine Restaurant @ La Colline, and hosted by Boomers Bookshop, Lucio and his wife Sally were warmly welcomed by an intimate group keen to discover the art of pasta making. We were also lucky enough to have the book's artist, Luke Sciberras, in attendance.

Lucio Galletto is the owner of renowned Paddington eatery Lucio's Italian Restaurant on Windsor Street. Awarded 2 SMH Chefs Hats again this year, Lucio's was established in 1983 and is almost as famous for it's art-adorned walls as it's food. This book then, is accurately described as bringing "together Lucio Galletto's two great passions in life: food and art" with the help of original artworks by Luke Sciberras. Created in the studio during the cooking, styling and photographing process, Luke's exquisite and inspiring pieces are beautifully integrated into the books pages in a powerful collaboration, the quality of which is rarely seen.

Above: One of Luke's gorgeous pieces for sale.

During the evening we browsed the range of artworks by Luke, all of which were absolutely stunning and, teasingly, most of it was for sale. While mingling we were treated to starters created by Shaun Arantz of Racine that included chicken broth encapsulating a quails egg, topped with a parmesan crisp, followed by a delightful mouthful of scampi tail, squid ink angel hair pasta and lemon chilli oil. Once seated we were presented with a vibrant plate of gnocchi, slow cooked lamb and spring greens, all of which melted in the mouth. Dessert was a simple yet delicious vanilla bean ice cream with fresh seasonal berries, hazelnut oil and balsamic.

L to R: Chicken broth with a quails egg topped with a parmesan crisp. Andrew and Robert from Boomers Bookshop with Sally Galletto. Lucio shares his book with a guest.

Pasta, as described by Lucio, is the basis of Italian family cooking and he rejoices in recollections of his mother, covered in flour, preparing pasta for the family. Lucio's connection to pasta and pride in this part of his heritage is evident every time he speaks and flicks through the pages of his new book enthusiastically. He is, deservedly, very proud of this amazing collection of recipes.

Jess and I both purchased the book on the evening and were thrilled that Luke drew us our own artwork of squid on the front page. Lucio, when signing my copy, directed me to page 198 which features a recipe for green tagliolini with blue swimmer crab which he says has been on the menu at Lucio's for 28 consecutive years!

L to R: Lucio signing my copy of the book. Luke illustrating the front page of The Art of Pasta for a guest.

The Art of Pasta is Lucio's third recipe book and is undoubtably the most beautiful to date. Available in two editions, this book can be purchased from Boomers Bookshop for $59.95 or you can treat yourself to the gorgeous Collector's Edition which is presented in a slipcase, is signed by Lucio and Luke and comes with a signed and numbered limited-edition etching from Luke for $250.00. Either edition would be equally at home as a coffee table book or as a much thumbed recipe book. I was personally so inspired by the stunning and simple to follow recipes that I've purchased the Kitchen Aid pasta making attachment to make the most of this stunning tome as regularly as I can.

Happy cooking!

If you'd like to keep up to date with Lucio's, Boomers Bookshop or Racine you can follow them on twitter: @luciositalian, @boomersbookshop, @racinelacolline