fave five #3: julian mancuso

featuring piri piri sauce

today’s fave five is from julian mancuso, an amazing chef, food stylist and entrepreneur based here in berlin. he’s a good friend of mine that you might remember from our recipe collaborations last year; for those of you who are new here, check out the recipes and videos: three cheese eggplant parmesan sandwiches (video) and italian subs with sausage and peppers (video).

---

julian mancuso’s fave five

1. Bury Me Standing by Isabel Fonseca—My favourite read in 2023 and something so poignantly relevant in these revealing times. “Bury Me Standing” is a colourful and emotional documentation of the author’s time living and travelling with the Roma and Sinti people (otherwise known as “gypsys”) throughout Europe. A people who have been demonized and victimised throughout the continent (as well as abroad) since the 19th century. To this day, they enjoy virtually no sympathy or respect from anyone. The genocide (1933 - 1945) of these remarkably resilient people with such a fascinating culture was totally ignored/denied until its official recognition in March 17, 1982 and then again via a monument erected in 2012. Sound familiar?

2. Le Marche, Italy—Okay, this is my second time as an adult visiting family in this absolute gem of a region. A bit more rustic than Tuscany, a little more “refined” than its southern counterparts, it’s the best of both worlds… and among many culinary pleasures also home to the fried olive stuffed with meat. What a delight.

3. Piri piri sauce—A fierce revival in my life (I worked at Nando’s Chickenland as a teenager), I recently made a massive batch for myself. It’s managed to make the rushed meals in busy times consistently delicious. I believe every neighbourhood needs a local piri piri chicken place. I’m still waiting Berlin…

4. Rapunzel Zartbitter Haselnuss—Eating this as I write. My boyfriend put me on it and it is by far the BEST GROCERY STORE CHOCOLATE IN GERMANY. I eat it every single day.

5. Double Down News—Not sure about you, but I’ve lost all faith in mass media. For this reason, I’ve switched almost exclusively to independent news where reporting is not influenced almost entirely by shareholder profits or advertiser wishes (see Chomsky). Double Down and The Dig Podcast are my favourites thus far. If you’re averse to being deceived, this is your solution.