Grow your own dinner

July 26, 2010

Tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce. But even zucchini, eggplant, asparagus and artichokes. These are the new ingredients of a stress-fighting diet, as long as each type of vegetable is cared for from seeding to harvesting. At the breathtaking Antica Corte Pallavicina Relais in Polesine Parmense (PR) chef Massimo Spigaroli unveils all the misteries of a great vegetable garden. It is a process that starts from the preparation of the earth, to the seeding of the products to finally end with the pleasure of harvesting and with practical lessons on how to cook and preserve these beloved vegetables. Growing your own veggies is a trend that was started by the Obamas that goes in an organic and eco-friendly direction. It is definitely “green”, fun and healthy because it brings to our plates fresh and seasonal products while helping the environment. No need for a large piece of land, just a tiny rectangle of earth in the backyard or a large tub placed on the rooftop (terrace for the lucky ones) can bring nature closer to us. Each class held at L’Antica Corte is 3 hours long. Chef Spigaroli goes over each step, from preparation of the earth to the preparation of the dish and, at the end, each participant receives a box of freshly harvested vegetables. The remaining classes for this year are: August 2, September 6, October 1 and November 1.

- Natasha Lardera


A vacation for aspiring chefs

June 2, 2010


As I am planning my upcoming Italian vacation, I am researching cool and different places with unique things to do. Although I was born and raised in that beautiful country there is still so much I have not seen, so my goal for the upcoming month is to get home, drop my suitcase and pack a smaller one for several short trips.

One of my first destinations will be the house where Monsignor Giacomo della Casa, Italian bishop, poet and translator who is mostly known for his popular treatise on good manners, Galateo, lived. Monsignor della Casa di Borgo San Lorenzo (FI) is a retreat for those who love to live life at a slow pace, taking time to enjoy good food, a beautiful landscape and the company of friends. The place offers some incredible classes and it is my intention to try them all. The “Tutti chef al Monsignore” program features meetings with the resort’s chefs where the unique taste and simplicity of Tuscan cuisine is explored. It is a fun way to learn the traditional dishes of Tuscan cuisine in a breathtaking environment. In the “house of good manners” a team of experts leads all guests who desire to participate in this program, in the preparation of true delicacies with impeccable style. Among pots, pans and other tools, the art of Tuscan cooking is shared among food lovers who wish to prepare an authentic menu which features homemade fresh pasta (from pappardelle to gnudi), meats from the area (exquisite wild boar), and vegetables gathered in the resort’s garden (do not miss seasonal zucchini flowers). This program ends on January 9th, 2011. Other culinary recreational activities such as olive oil and/or Chianti tastings, saffron and/or chestnut picking, visits to the local fresh produce markets and to cheese making facilities can also be enjoyed. I think I want to try them all.

By Natasha Lardera

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Gualtiero Marchesi Exhibit In Milan Until June

April 19, 2010

Milan has become quite an international city thanks to its’ stylish fashion shows, design fairs and museums. The city is in tumult and looks more like Shanghai than its previous incarnation as construction companies create skyscrapers, new industrial parks and public architecture. Much of the new construction is in anticipation of the Expo 2015. A large part of the Expo is going to be dedicated to food, according to panels in an exhibit about famed Chef Gualtiero Marchesi at the Castello Sforzesco. The Castello itself which sits smack in the center of the city has undergone many renovations and now is a hot tourist stop with many exhibits, among them one on Gualtiero Marchesi. Marchesi is perhaps the most famous of all Italian chefs with two restaurants, one in Milan and one in Franciacorta in a town called Erbusco. Early on, Marchesi was experimenting with different cuisines such as the Japanese one and mixing traditional Italian dishes with new oriental accents. He is also the first to place gold leaf in risotto and many other innovative tricks. A new exhibit dedicated to the Chef opened Saturday, April 17 and runs until June 2010. Marchesi himself will be on hand for a few cooking demonstrations. Don’t miss it if you are in Milan.

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Food For Thought: Identita’ London Set To Explore Innovative Themes June 28-29

June 18, 2009

Paolo Marchi, journalist and founder of Italian food conference and website Identita Golose, has just launched a new adventure which promises to create ferment in the culinary world of Italian chefs, Identità London. The Italian Chef Congress in London will be a place for chefs to exchange ideas and learn about other professionals’ techniques and ideas. Some of the questions that the chefs in London will pose are the same that chefs in New York are asking themselves as well. Issues that may arise include those of what makes Italian cooking authentic, is it the ingredients, the nationality of the cook, or some secret sauce. There is no one right answer surely to any of these issues.

Identità London will be held at Vinopolis World of Wine located next to the Southbank’s historic Borough Food Market. In addition to world renowned chefs, the event will showcase Italian artisanal producers.

The line-up of chefs includes Massimilano Alajmo, Le Calandre, Corrado Assenza, Caffé Sicilia, Massimo Bottura, Osteria Francescana, Moreno Cedroni, Madonnina del Pescatore, Carlo Cracco, Ristorante Cracco, Enrico Crippa, Ristorante Piazza Duomo, Anthony Genovese, Il Pagliaccio, Ernesto Iaccarino, Don Alfonso 1890, Norbert Niederkofler, St.Hubertus, Giovanni Santini, Dal Pescatore, Emanuele Scarello, Agli Amici, and Ciccio Sultano, Ristorante Duomo.

A few non-Italian chefs will also be presenting their ideas including Angela Harnett, Murano (UK) and Giorgio Locatelli, Locanda Locatelli (UK), Rene Redzepi, Noma (Denmark) and Alex Atala, D.O.M. Restaurante.

It sounds like a great event for those who can attend. Surely this first edition will be a success and if you can’t get there this year, you will have the opportunity in future years.

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