Meet Dante Zia from Swedish MasterChef 2018

From struggling student to tv chef in less than a year

Things have moved fast for Dante Zia. In the fall of 2017, becoming an engineer was still his goal and cooking still his hobby. One year later, he’s an established tv chef on Sweden’s most popular morning show. His breakthrough? He qualified for Swedish MasterChef 2018. But he didn’t win, he ended up on 6th place. Which proves you don’t have to win to be a winner.

Grandma’s spezzatino

The Italian cuisine was always present when he grew up. At home in Sweden or when visiting his Italian family in the Veneto region in the northeast of Italy. His grandmother’s cooking has inspired him a lot and her spezzatino, a beef stew, is a family classic. Dante cooked it on tv, as a tribute. And because it’s simply delicious.

World’s best food fusion country

While Italy has a special place in his heart, Dante gets his influences from all over the world. Without having to leave Sweden. We live in the world’s best food fusion country, he says. This wonderful mix of people from different parts of the world develop our cooking tremendously. There’s a lot of focus on food in Sweden and we have more Michelin restaurants than ever. It’s amazing.

Food should make you happy

To Dante, a meal is not just a meal. It should be a happy moment in people’s daily lives, he says. And he practices what he preaches because that’s what his cooking on tv is. Happy, entertaining moments. So what’s next for Dante Zia? More tv during the fall, that’s decided. He would like to have his own restaurant but no concrete plans yet. And yes, he will write his master’s thesis during the fall. Just in case.

Name: Dante Zia
Age: 26
Lives in: Lund, Sweden
Occupation: Chef and student
Passion: Food, cooking and entertainment
Favorite Rivsalt product: ”The salt rocks in 009 TASTE Jr, definitely. I also love the 019 PASTA SALT, so convenient!”

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