In this article, Francesco Pastore, Head Chef of Twentysix, shares the principles, tricks, and practical tips that he applies both in his personal life and at the helm of Twentysix in pursuit of a zero-waste lifestyle.

Francesco Pastore – Head Chef & Zero Waste Advocate

Francesco is a dedicated advocate of a waste-free lifestyle not only in professional gastronomy but also in his personal life. For him, zero waste does not mean making sacrifices, but rather conscious planning at home, creativity, and the utmost respect for ingredients.

How Does Zero Waste Work at Twentysix?

In our restaurant kitchen, one of our core principles is to work with as little waste as possible:

Seasonal and fresh ingredients, zero freezing:

We exclusively use fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. We do not use out-of-season ingredients or frozen products at all, ensuring that the flavors of our dishes remain perfect while avoiding unnecessary waste.

Sustainability on the menu – Fish Kofta:

Made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and two types of fish, our Fish Kofta is a perfect example of Zero Waste: seasonality guarantees maximum freshness and minimal waste, while the combination of the two types of fish creates a brilliant harmony of flavors, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Francesco’s Zero Waste Tips and Tricks for Everyday Life at Home

You can easily incorporate these practical tips into your own home routine and personal life:

1. Plan your meals at home based on existing leftovers (even for an entire week in advance!):

When planning a new menu at home, always start with the ingredients you already have left in your fridge and pantry! Take a look at what you have at home – even if it’s only a small amount – and build your weekly meal plan around it. This way, you can minimize leftovers and waste right from the menu-planning stage, and only buy the ingredients you are actually missing.

2. Shop consciously and never go grocery shopping hungry!

Always buy only what you really need for your planned menu. Use a shopping list! Golden rule: if you go shopping hungry, you are guaranteed to buy far more unnecessary things that may later end up in the trash.

3. Use everything and know the characteristics of your ingredients!

Choose your ingredients consciously, and make sure that if you buy something, you use all of it! For example, due to its high water content, cucumber spoils particularly quickly and loses its crispness: once cut, it stays fresh in the refrigerator for only 1–2 days, after which it quickly becomes soft and watery. It is also not worth freezing, because its texture is completely ruined after thawing – so it is best to use cut cucumber immediately.

4. Store ingredients at the right temperature!

Buy and store ingredients in a way that allows you to keep them at their ideal temperature. For delicate ingredients – such as fresh salads – proper storage can extend their shelf life by several days.

5. Draw inspiration from the ingredients you already have and create your own home-made recipes!

Instead of throwing away leftover food, look specifically for inspiration based on the ingredients you already have. Don’t be afraid to experiment in the kitchen: create your own unique home-made dishes using the ingredients in your pantry!

Mindfulness from the Restaurant Kitchen to Your Own Home

A sustainable lifestyle is not a strict set of rules, but an exciting shift in mindset. At Twentysix, we build on this awareness every single day: we carefully and individually compose each of our dishes to minimize waste while maintaining the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

You can easily bring this same level of care into your own home. With a smart weekly meal plan and a few professional kitchen tricks, you can not only do something good for the environment, but also make everyday cooking much more creative and enjoyable!