Interview: Maria Kochetkova
Photography: Erin McKinney
Fulvio Marino, a handsome baker who charms Italy every afternoon on Rai Uno, and a favorite of InTrieste team, talks to us about his life-long passion for bread and pizza, which he turned into two page-turners, and the inspiration behind it all – his wife Giulia Seletto.
Piemonte native — and a proud family member of Mulino Marino group — Marino rapidly rose to stardom in “È Sempre Mezzogiorno,” a daily food show on the national Italian channel, Rai Uno. But his biggest achievement, he says, is marrying his beautiful wife Giulia back in 2016.
We’ve interviewed Fulvio a couple of times and he never seizes to amaze us. This time his charismatic wife, Giulia Saletto, joined him in chatting about baking, raising their energetic 5 year-old and all things pizza.
You just came out with a new book!
Fulvio: Yes, it’s called Pizza Per Tutti (Pizza for Everyone, -ed). And it’s just that – pizza making process explained in an easy way for everyone to understand. I’ve always loved pizza and I am happy I can finally share my passion with the readers. My two biggest passions are bread and pizza, and I am grateful I was able to turn them into two books. Pizza Per Tutti discusses various types of pizzas, as well as focaccia, also New York pizza, Detroit pizza – there’s something for everyone. The book is divided in three parts based on the levitation time.
Are you also a baker?
Giulia: Nothing like that. I work as a lawyer. I am the rational part in our family, as Fulvio is definitely a dreamer. Also because I am one year older than Fulvio (laughs-ed).
Do you help Fulvio write?
Giulia: No. I help him in other ways though.
Fulvio: She hasn’t read the last book yet (laughs-ed).
How did you guys meet?
Giulia: We met 12 years ago through a friend. We went out for a gelato and were inseparable ever since. We come from the same background. We were both born in Alba, home to truffles and wine, and we share the same simple roots and strong values.
How did you know he was the one?
Giulia: I think I instantly knew he was the right person for me, I think it took Fulvio a little longer to understand that. I was the one to tell him it was probably time to get married. His character, his verve, incredible energy – it’s all him. He is like that at work and at home. I appreciate that as I am also full of energy, and so is our 5 year old Carlotta!
Fulvio: We got married in 2016 and a year later Carlotta was born.
Do you share Fulvio’s passion for baking?
Giulia: I never bake, but I love to cook. We adore having people over, we invite friends for dinners and lunches all the time, and on those occasions we cook together.
Fulvio: At home I am a chef, and she’s the executive chef (laughs-ed).
Are you jealous at all?
Giulia: Absolutely not. We have a really strong bond and I have no doubts about Fulvio. I don’t waste time on negative feelings like jealousy.
Do you watch Fulvio every day on Rai Uno?
Giulia: When I have time, sure.
How did you start working in RAI?
Fulvio: I used to work in “Prova del Cuoco” (Ready Steady Cook, -ed.) on Rai Uno as an expert on flour. I loved that experience as I could transmit our family’s values to national public. I love communication, and TV is a means of transmitting my passion for bread. During lockdown I started doing live videos with Antonella Clerici (the host of “É Sempre Mezzogiorno”, ed.), and once the lockdown was over, Antonella invited me to do the same thing on TV. I used to travel 250 days a year before that, for Eataly stores and other job obligations, so I was a little hesitant at first but then said yes.
Did your life change completely?
Giulia: Fulvio has always traveled a lot, so we were used to it already. He’d go to London, New York – everywhere.
Fulvio: She’s always supported me in everything. It is very important to me, of course. Giulia never complained, not once.
Giulia: I was happy for him and saw it as an opportunity. Lockdown was the real change as he was always at home and that was unusual, but we really enjoyed it. It was probably the hardest on Fulvio as he was used to always being on the move.
Fulvio: During lockdown I started doing live videos, teaching everyone how to bake, make bread and pizza. Before lockdown, I didn’t have many followers on Instagram. After lockdown, I had around 100,000. I was doing it for free, I wanted to help people out.
What’s your favorite pizza?
Fulvio: Pizza that represents me the most is pizza alla pala. But I love all pizzas, it’s too hard to choose.
Giulia: I love veggies, so pizza with veggies. Carlotta’s favorite pizza is “Pizza Carlotta” – pizza with double tomato sauce and nothing on top, prepared by her dad, naturally.
Do you have a favorite type of bread?
Fulvio: Both of us adore pane segale (rye bread- ed.).
Giulia: Yes, hands down, segale. I adore the taste, almost as much as I adore Fulvio (laughs-ed).
Fulvio Marino presented his book “Pizza Per Tutti” to the Triestine public at Eataly store on Friday, 28 October at 6 pm. His presentation coincided with InTrieste’s fall edition talk.
