Cape Town-based chef and restaurateur Giorgio Nava has won the World Pasta Championship in Parma.

Nava, who runs Cape restaurants 95 Keerom, Carne SA, Mozzarella Bar and Caffe Milano prepared cavatelli – a traditional pasta recipe from Puglia – with broccoli and oregano flowers, to bring home the prize.

“Simplicity was the key. I presented a recipe that is very cheap but very tasty,” said Nava, after his victory. “Others competed with expensive fish-based recipes but right now, given the economic situation in Italy, it did not seem right to come forward with extravagant dishes.”

The event, which took place on Saturday 12 June 2013 at the Barilla Food Academy in Parma, saw 24 chefs from around the world take part in demonstrations and cooking challenges.

Nava currently holds the Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Award for Best Steakhouse in South Africa for Carne SA, and held last year’s award for Best Italian Restaurant for 95 Keerom.

Try Giorgio’s winning recipe: cavatelli pasta with a broccoli velvet sauce and oregano flowers.