MARCO DE LEONARDIS

www.rucolapesto.com

Marco de Leonardis grew up in Puglia, the wheat belt of Southern Italy.
His family gatherings were surrounded by cousins, uncles and aunts, feasts were big and noisy, and great food was always served. Because the family has been farmers for generations, growing primarily durham wheat,
farming is in Marco’s blood.

Marco went to school in Rome and finished his degree - a Doctorate
in Tropical Agriculture - in Florence. After traveling to Columbia to finish
his thesis, he discovered his love of travel, and moved to Indonesia in 1991. One of the pioneers of Bali’s food industry, Marco combined his passion for quality produce with his doctorate to create the island’s first organic salad farm in 1995.

Marco now spends his spare time between his farms in Italy and Indonesia, creating marvels in the kitchen. He is the owner of Raw Nature Organic Farms in Bali, is a consultant to Aman Resorts, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Tamarind Thailand and Wakatobi. He also contributes to Taste Magazine.