‘Made with love’: Chef defends gnocchi that lured Chris Bowen mid-mass
The Italian chef behind the now-infamous bowl of pasta that Energy Minister Chris Bowen was caught eating during a religious service says the dish was simply too irresistible - and made with Nonna’s love.
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The Italian chef behind the bowl of pasta that distracted a federal minister during mass has revealed how the irresistible aroma of freshly made gnocchi, “with love”, was just too much for Chris Bowen to resist.
Following the Daily Telegraph’s coverage of the incident on Sunday, Chef Antonio — the man behind the dish — confirmed he served the federal Energy Minister a bowl of his signature pecorino truffle gnocchi during Sunday’s Festa Della Repubblica at Club Marconi in Bossley Park.
“He was walking past,” Antonio recalled to 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
“Then he came back — because he just smelled something beautiful.”
Bowen, who claims he didn’t realise mass was still being held in the marquee, caused a stir after he sat in the front row and began eating his pasta during the final moments of the service.
The move drew a public rebuke from presiding priest Reverend Anthony Fregolent, who reminded the congregation in Italian to show respect and refrain from eating during mass.
But Antonio made light of the situation.
“I cooked him some beautiful gnocchi in the pecorino cheese wheel, with truffle — Nonna’s recipe. Made with love, as we say,” he said on 2GB.
Antonio said the phone wouldn’t stop ringing after the story came out.
“The moment they found out it was our gnocchi, my phone was ringing yesterday morning — ‘What did you do?’” he laughed.
“I was sleeping! I had just finished working.”
Mr Bowen has since apologised, explaining he believed mass had already concluded and meant no disrespect.
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Originally published as ‘Made with love’: Chef defends gnocchi that lured Chris Bowen mid-mass
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