The Chef's Recommendation
The story of Eleonora Riso
Originally from Collesalvetti, in the province of Livorno, Eleonora has won over judges and audiences alike with her ability to blend Japanese influences with Tuscan and plant-based ingredients, creating dishes rich in flavors and spices, often vegetarian or vegan.
Her cuisine, described as “ingenious” and “unconventional,” has been a favorite since the very first episodes and reflects a whimsical, innocent, and deeply authentic personality.
Eleonora presented herself as a “girl who thinks outside the box,” with an atypical and varied life journey that saw her living in a house in the woods, tending a vegetable garden, raising chickens, and producing honey, before working as a waitress in Florence.
Her victory on MasterChef Italia 13 allowed her to publish her first cookbook, “Laboratorio di Sapori. 80 ricette ganzissime,” in which the Livorno-born chef showcased the dishes and inspirations that have shaped her entire culinary journey.
After her victory, Eleonora returned to her hometown. She currently organizes events at Arci clubs and shares her passion for participatory and inclusive cooking—far from the spotlight but close to the people.