Lithuania is Gian Luca’s America, a place where dreams come true
Gian Luca Demarco is an Italian chef who has been living in Lithuania for six years. During his time here, he’s managed to train the Lithuanian biathlon team, work for the Vilnius city municipality, and start a family. After intensive study at the IFSE Italian Culinary Institute and honing his chops at various Michelin- starred restaurants in Northern Italy, Gian Luca returned to Vilnius.
Currently he owns the “Culinary study,” on 7-7 Teatro Street in Vilnius. It is the first culinary school of its kind in Lithuania, and represents a meeting point for cooking enthusiasts, beginners, and professionals.
Gian Luca is full of energy and his willingness to experiment in the kitchen can win over even a fast food lover. The chef says that the main rule in cooking is to remain calm, even if the main ingredient is still in the sea or has accidentally surfaced in a child’s mouth. After all, everyone will be glad to sample an impromptu snack plate served by a happy host.
How do you choose the best piece of fish or meat? How do you cook it to perfection? Gian Luca is happy to share his secrets with “Culinary studio” visitors and invites us all to discover the uniqueness of Italian cuisine together.
How did you come to Lithuania?
I was invited to Lithuanian biathlon team as a coach. Sometimes I joke that I can do three things well in life: cook, play sports, and annoy others.
I have been working in the restaurant business since my early youth. For a while, I tried to move away from cooking to search for my true calling. Lithuania helped me a lot in this by offering me the opportunity to contribute to the athletic conditioning and achievements of Diana Rasimoviciute, Tomas Kaukenas, and other members of biathlon team. Lithuania for me is like America, a country where dreams come true!
Give us one good and one not-so-good observation about Lithuania.
I am fascinated by the fact that this country has achieved great things in 25 years, things that Italy has arguably not been able to do in 150. I’ve travelled a lot and I think Lithuanians have the desire and resources to create a great country. Of course, there are hard-working, creative people doing good things, but some just ruin everything.
One more observation about Lithuanians: they are too modest. Lithuanians have plenty of knowledge and talents, but they always insist that they have insufficient knowledge and skills. I would like to encourage Lithuanians to own their talents more. For example, if you ask a Lithuanian if they speak English, they almost automatically say that they’re not very good at it, even if they’re quite knowledgeable. An Italian speaking that same level of English would say he was fluent!
What are the main differences between Lithuanians and your compatriots?
Italians are very straightforward people – they say whatever they think. They are emotional – they quickly become angry and even offended, but eventually let it all go. I personally at work tend to express my opinion directly and point out what I don’t like. Meanwhile, Lithuanians hold their anger in. I think this tendency alienates people. They stop communicating.
I am accustomed to having many friends – in Italy I used to have more than 30 of them and it was considered a small group! We used to meet often and discuss topics that would be considered “taboo” in Lithuania. A friend in Italy is not just a person you can go have a beer with when you want to blow off steam. who can go out with you for a beer and relax. He is almost your brother, a part of your family. The perception of friendship in our countries differs.
Living in Lithuania, I miss good, simple and open friendship! Everyone in Lithuania wants to have his or her own personal space and I believe that alienates people. For example, in Lithuania I find it much harder to find friends with whom I can spontaneously go out or just watch a football game.
What have you learned from Lithuanians?
To be calm. Lithuanians are very quiet and communicate politely with each other. I have learned a lot about controlling my emotions from living with my wife. Previously, any small thing could make me angry, maybe in part because I’m from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy, where people are well-known for their persistence and severity. Just imagine what kind of emotional people live in the south!
Of course, it would be a mistake to stereotype all Italians as hotheads. Even in small Lithuania, people from different regions differ – there are Highlanders, Samogitians, Suduvites and the inhabitants of South-East Lithuania – they all have different temperaments!
What is your favourite place in Lithuania?
When I worked for Vilnius Municipality I used to love to spend my free time near the White bridge. Now I try to spend more time with my family. I like to discover new places with them. During my trips within Lithuania, I’ve visited Minge village, Kretinga, and fell in love with Samogitia. If there were better business conditions, I would like to live there. The people there are warm and honest.
What is the funniest (or strangest) thing that’s happened to you in Lithuania?
I remember during my trip to Samogtitia I had my meal very slowly at the restaurant and joked that I was Estonian. I was surprised when, after few moments, the waitress asked me about my life in Estonia. It was hilarious because I’m not exactly a blue-eyed blond!
What does the kitchen mean to you?
The kitchen represents you! The kitchen reveals your fantasies and your culture. This is the place where you can really show your character with ease. After long years of self-exploration, trying different activities and types of work, I pursued my culinary studies in Italy and realized that the kitchen is my calling!