150 | UK Enterprise Awards 2022 with garlic, sun-dried tomato, chilli, lemon and wine sauce). “There’s an expression in Sardo,” Mario enthuses. “’Sa cughina minore no timede su fuste.’ The meaning is: ‘Simple cuisine makes the home great.’” And this is the true ethos around which Mario’s cooking revolves, for the menu is not showy, nor overly fussy, just filled with wholesome, healthy and deliciously flavourful food. In true Italian style, there’s a plethora of pasta dishes, as well as ‘carne’ (meat) plates in abundance, although Mario tells us they also specialise in gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan products too, meaning that everyone can enjoy the delights that Akentannos has to offer. However, Akentannos has another string to its bow in the form of an online deli store. Taking Sardinian-born chef, Mario Masia, is cooking up a storm in Sheffield with his restaurant, Akentannos. Mario takes us on a culinary journey of exploration in the wake of the eatery being recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards 2022. The first restaurant in Sheffield to specialise in Sardinian cuisine Akentannos, situated on the vibrant Sharrow Vale Road, instantly transports visitors to the land of sun and blue sea with its natural fragrances, intense flavours and Sardinian soul that goes into each and every dish. Established and run by husband-and-wife team, Mario and Giovanna Masia, the couple prides itself on using the finest and freshest ingredients, imported in majority from Sardinia and wherever possible locally-sourced ingredients to cook authentic and innovative Sardinian food. Mario, who is the chef at the restaurant, conjures up a wide variety of unique culinary delights, each freshly prepared and cooked, to satisfy even the most demanding of palates. “Everything is prepared on the spot, respecting the right cooking times, in order to enhance the true aromas and flavours of Sardinia,” he elaborates passionately. “Therefore, the consequent waiting times may be slightly longer than other restaurants that cook ready-made products.” This trade-off of time for the highest of quality in freshly cooked food is easy to accept when you consider the impeccable reputation that precedes Akentannos, and the offer of being whisked away from today’s hectic lifestyle to a tranquil, warm paradise simply through eating a plate of food is more than tempting! Sardinia is the second largest island off Italy’s coast. It’s the untamed and defiant island in the Mediterranean which gave its name to the words ‘sardine’ and ‘sardonic’, due to the populous local fish and the formidable local character respectively. This love for fish is reflected in the menu, with dishes such as Filetto di Branzino all Vernaccia (fillet of sea bass with prawns, cherry tomatoes, flaked almonds in a white wine and basil oil) and Gamberoni (shell-on king prawns Best Italian Restaurant 2022 – South Yorkshire Apr22686 shape during lockdown when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the dynamic duo decided to offer their Sardinian delicacies over the internet so that lovers of their find food could still have access to it, even whilst being locked away. This, coupled with a click and collect takeaway service, means that the restaurant has secured its place as a stable location in the City. Recently, the firm was rewarded for its exceptionally high standards by being recognised in the UK Enterprise Awards and bestowed with the title of Best Italian Restaurant 2022 – South Yorkshire. This award is one of which the couple is immensely proud and it is testament to their dedication and hard work over the years. Contact: Mario Masia Company: Akentannos Web Address: www.akentannos.co.uk
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