This was definitely a case of (mostly) faking it until one made it for Bucciarati - he spent a lot more time either eating at restaurants or at the homes of others than cooking for himself.

Renee's question brought him out of his frustrated focus, and he straightens up. His expression softens, and he shakes his head. "Not unless you can redirect this train to Italy," he says, taking a few steps forward to give what was in the pot a stir - a tomato sauce, if Renee looked in. "Though I'm not sure if better ingredients might offset my own lack of skill that much or not."