Caterina Ravano
For years, The Wild Project was Cate's vegan restaurant in the city centre of Antwerp. Every dish was a discovery, a way to let vegetables excel, in a playful, creative and radically sustainable way. I fell in love, and every time I visited the restaurant I looked in awe to this pretty girl in the kitchen with her magic hands. An instant connection through each other's search for the best ingredients, a deep respect for the complexity and beauty of nature and mutual looks sparked with fun and joy for life brought us to an inspiring conversation at Lina's Bakkerij over poppyseed and lemon muffins.
I asked Mieke Verbijlen to shoot Cate's portrait, and I love the result of this new cross-pollination of talent in Antwerp.
Hi Cate, can you start by introducing yourself?
Sure! I’m Swiss, I was born in Lugano, a southern town in Switzerland with Italian roots. I studied textile design and shortly after my studies, I exchanged drawing for another creative outlet that felt more connected to people and the environment. I became a cook. Everything that I love comes together in the kitchen: the curiosity about nature and ingredients, the desire to learn and improve constantly. And most of all, the conviviality that is created when people are brought together through food.
"Everything that I love comes together in the kitchen: the curiosity about nature and ingredients, the desire to learn and improve constantly. And most of all, the conviviality that is created when people are brought together through food."
You travelled through Chile for a few months. Can you share something more about that trip?
It was amazing to get to know Chile! I was working with my boyfriend in Valle de Colchagua, a rural region south of the capital Santiago, known for its vineyards. Working there, even if it was only for a short period, made it possible to meet the local community. We began to understand the challenges that people face in Chile, such as social inequality. It was fascinating and empowering to see people pushing for a change. We saw these changes in several situations. The restaurant where we worked, Rayuela, was led by a female chef who took over a very traditional restaurant and transformed it into a contemporary, conscious project. She dedicated a lot of care and attention to sustainability, local produce, and just healthier food. Many natural vineyards are offering another vision, in a region where traditional winemaking is very important and well established. Or the small farmers, who are shifting their farming methods towards permaculture and raising awareness around the importance of seasonality and freshness in their produce. A change that perhaps is not always welcomed, that will take time and dedication, but is very much needed.
I met you as the chef of my favourite restaurant in Antwerp, The Wild Project. Right now, you’re in between travels and about to move to the north of Italy! Can you tell us a bit more about your plans for the future?
The restaurant in Antwerp was an incredible journey that started with my sister and ended last year with my best friend. We grew a lot in the restaurant, both as people and as a business, but by the end of it, I felt incredibly disconnected from nature and my professional growth. So after a year of working and traveling abroad, I’m finally ready to start possibly the biggest adventure in a small town called Lavagna, in Italy! We’re starting our project “Radical” in an old farmhouse. The roots of it all involve biodiversity, responsible farming and sustainable cooking. Together with my partner Segundo we want to create a space were people can learn about cooking, arts and crafts in symbiosis with nature and the local community.
"We want to create a space were people can learn about cooking, arts and crafts in symbiosis with nature and the local community."
Sounds amazing, I can’t wait to visit you there! Can you tell me a bit about your relationship to beauty and what you look for in skincare?
My skin has always demanded a lot of attention. I’ve suffered from eczema and lots of allergies for as long as I can remember. Since I was a little kid my parents have tried different solutions, through natural or more conventional remedies, but eventually cortisone was definitely a constant factor. Throughout the years it got a lot better, many allergies slowly faded away, but the eczema on my hands persisted and working in the kitchen could become very uncomfortable at times. And so my relationship with my skin has been and can be a bit complicated but I try my best to choose simple products with simple ingredients.
"MAIWE is a brand that goes beyond just skincare. For me, its philosophy is the centrepiece, and the products are a natural result of it."
What do you find in MAIWE and what would be your favourite product?
MAIWE is a brand that goes beyond just skincare. For me, its philosophy is the centrepiece, and the products are a natural result of it. The research, the connections to nature and to the local communities are the things I look for in food as well and that’s why I particularly liked the brand even before I tried their products. And when I did try the products, I can say that my skin loved every single one of them, in particular the Rosehip Oil Serum, which I carry with me for my hands and face to use whenever it feels the need for it. My face skin is not cracking open like it normally does in winter, it feels soft and nurtured throughout all day, and honestly it just feels good. But most important, my eczema is healing, and doing incredibly well! ☺☺☺
"My skin loves every single one of the products. Most important, my eczema is healing, and doing incredibly well!"
SHOP CATE'S FAVOURITE
Rosehip Oil Serum
