Interview with Mauro Colagreco: a blue and gourmet eye

Owner and chef at the three-Michelin star Mirazur – voted best restaurant in the world in 2019, Mauro Colagreco reveals his shared cuisine that combines the exceptional with the authenticity of Menton.

What was your path, from Argentina to Menton?

“It was chance encounters. In 2000, I wanted to learn French cuisine, to bring it to Argentina. During an experience in Paris, my path crossed with that of a proprietor from Menton who wanted to sell his establishment on the Côte d’Azur. He took my project to heart and gave me my chance. At that point in time, I didn’t know anything about the Côte d’Azur. When I visited the Mirazur for the first time, a jacaranda was reigning supreme, a tree from my country that is very rare here. The signs pushed me to perform here, I could express myself, build my family and become a Menton native at heart.”

How did you absorb the Côte d’Azur into the dish?

“Here, biodiversity is king. As everything was new for me, I was able to get to grips with the land without any borders. Mediterranean cuisine stands out because it tells the tradition of a land. Consequently, we create using the local food production in the Franco-Italian hinterland. Additionally, the restaurant has 3 hectares of cottage gardens grown biodynamically, which, according to the lunar calendar, offers the flavours to which I add my vision. A true proximity with nature that is found in my dishes.”

A tip for chefs from an enthusiast?

The Côte d’Azur contains an incredible gastronomic potential for those who want to unleash it. The products are exceptional, and the amount of sunshine is unique. It is therefore a land rich in senses with an incredible taste palette. There are many similarities with Argentinian cuisine, in the concept of sharing, and love for the table in the centre of the home. It is the heart that talks when we are truly cooking. This therefore means following your emotions, and thanks to its national and international visitors who are all curious for an authentic taste of the Mediterranean, the Côte d’Azur is a choice land for all cooks!

Mauro COLAGRECO