From the juvenile prison of Nisida, in Naples, until conquering the United States with his pizza: Daniele Gagliotta, 31 years old, currently living in Washington, travels the world as a restaurant consultant, and with a proud smile he tells his story.
“I tried to chase a dream that sometimes wasn’t even easy to imagine,” he says after an intense day of work, “but thanks to my university, which was that of the street, of the sidewalk, I brought out the best in me. I worked hard, and now this dream is becoming a reality: I have a home, a family and the trust of many who believe in me.”
Daniele's pizza is a combination of traditional Neapolitan and contemporary gourmet. His story, however, began with difficulty. Originally from the historic center of Naples, his childhood was complicated.
“After I left Nisida prison, where I was for two years, I always hid this part of my life. Now, I am ready to face my past with awareness: I know I made mistakes when I was young, but I also know that everyone in life can make mistakes and have a second chance. Thanks to the people I met, there was a turning point.”
The time spent in Nisida saw him share a cell with dangerous members of criminal families in Naples. Many of them, while Daniele began to work and gain recognition, were involved in tragic events, some losing their lives and others sentenced to life imprisonment.
Opportunities arose through training courses undertaken right in prison: bread making, pizza, but also theater. One of the first to believe in him was Errico Porzio, known as the “people’s pizza chef.”
When Daniele showed up to him in 2013 to attend the pizza making course, he was in handcuffs and accompanied by the prison police. “I was ashamed of those handcuffs on my wrists, I felt like crying,” he recalls today.
“Maybe if I hadn’t ended up in prison, I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities. I paid the consequences of my actions and now I’ve matured. I’ve learned to listen to others, while before, one of my biggest mistakes was precisely not knowing how and wanting to listen.”
His bond with Naples and his Neapolitan identity emerge with enthusiasm: “The fact of being a son of Naples gives me emotions, it gives me an energy that perhaps, if I had been born somewhere else, I would not have had.
In just a few years, I have already brought my work as a consultant to 15 countries around the world, I have received awards, but the greatest of all is being able to be an example today for many young people who still think that the street, being able to earn and spend a lot of money quickly is everything. It's not true, it's not like that. Now that I'm on the other side of the sidewalk, I can say that we can all do it, if only we want to.”
Article published on 16 January 2024 - 15:04
