Jamie Oliver’s Mentor Holidaying on Croatian Island

One of the most famous chefs in the world is currently relaxing on holiday in Croatia, where he says he is taken aback with Croatia’s beauty, traditions, culture and history. Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo is spending his second summer in Croatia on the southern Dalmatian island of Lopud.

Contaldo (left) with his ‘son’ Jamie Oliver

Contaldo, who has written a number books and appeared on numerous cooking shows on television, is also famous for his association with his protégé, Jamie Oliver. Contaldo took Oliver under his wing in the 1990’s and taught the English chef all he knows. “He is my adopted son, in the way that I took him in so I could teach him to cook. He was very young and we soon became like father and son,” said the flamboyant Italian chef, adding that doing a project with Oliver in Croatia is not out of the question. “If we plan another project, we will probably come here (to Croatia). I love this place”.

Contaldo is so impressed with Croatia’s beauty that he is even contemplating purchasing a house on Lopud or on another one of Croatia’s islands he told Dnevnik. “Look around, just look around. It is so beautiful,” said Contaldo.