RP196: Avalon Wine Tours: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I speak with Peter Smith, owner and operator of Avalon Wine Tours, which offers tours of most of the world’s leading wine regions. He talks about his evolution from Yacht captain to enophile, and how he crafted a business he loves sharing his love of wine with enthusiasts.

Theme Song: “Go Fish”, by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network.

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com

 

 RP195: Slow Food in Piemonte: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I report from a recent trip to Piemonte Italy, where I attended the BITEG conference, the Borso Internationale di Turismo Enogastronomico, all about wine and food tourism. While learning about the great foods of Piemonte, I met several people involved in the Slow Food organization, which got it’s start in Piemonte. We attended a taste around dinner featuring local artisanal products at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenza.

Theme Song: “Go Fish”, by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network.

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com

I’m in Piemonte for BITEG 2009, (Burso Internazionale di Turismo EnoGastronomico), and discovering the typical foods of the province. These a few quick videos shot on my handheld camera. More to come later in full CMN fashion!

The first day we had an exquisite lunch at the Grinzane Cavour Castle, which is ground zero for the celebration of the much vaunted white truffles from the Alba region.

The next day, we are treated to a cooking class with Chef Cesare Giaccone at his Villa Contessa Rossa Restaurant at the Fontanafredda Winery

We also discovered a secluded Apiary called Il Potere dei Fiori up in the hills near Ponzone, and we reached it via a hike to the top of the mountain.

Note: These really are just quick one off video blogs shot with a handheld camera. I’ll have fully edited, high quality videos of all these visits in the main video feed in the coming weeks and months.

Food Philosophy #53: The Madernassa Pear

The Madernassa pear is a treasure of Piemonte, Italy, and one that was almost lost when modern farming methods were introduced to create a heartier version of the fruit. Thanks to the efforts of some dedicated, passionate growers, however, the pretty pear is back and thriving. Learn some of its history, as well as the story of cugna, a regional treat.

Elena Traversa Rovera of Cascina del Cornale spearheaded the movement to revive the Madernassa pear — and encountered some interesting obstacles along the way. For those who are under the impression that Slow Food is making it easier for farmers to preserve their artisan goods, Elena’s story provides another viewpoint — and one you might not expect.

Cascina del Cornale: http://www.cornale.it/

Sponsor: Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com)
Use code food1 for 10% off your order
Use code food2 for $5 off orders of $35 or more
Use code food3 for $6.95 domain names

Music: Beau Hall (www.beaurocks.com)

Food Philosophy is a production of the Culinary Podcast Network (www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com).

food, food podcast, sensuality, Food Philosophy, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork, Jennifer Iannolo, PodShow

Food Philosophy Videocast #2: The Chefs of Piemonte

I captured some video footage during my Piemonte luncheon at the United Nations, so you can see chefs in action in the kitchen and lotsa pasta — and one particular chef toward whom the camera just seemed to gravitate.

Hear the full audio with interviews on Food Philosophy #50.

www.torinopiemonte.com

Featured Chefs:
Ugo Alciati, Guido (Pollenzo)
Alfredo Russo, Dolce Stil Novo (Cirie)
Mariangela Susigan, Gardenia (Caluso)
Walter Ferretto, Cascinale Nuovo (Asti)
Marta Grassi, Tantris (Novara)
Sergio Vineis, Patio (Pollone)
Mariuccia Ferrero, San Marco (Canelli)
Pier Bussetti, Locanda Mongreno (Torino)
Stefano Gallo, Barrique (Torino)
Massimiliano Musso, Vittoria (Tigliole d’Asti)
Andrea Ribaldone, Fermata (Spinetta Marengo)

Sponsor: Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com)
Use code food1 for 10% off your order
Use code food2 for $5 off orders of $35 or more
Use code food3 for $6.95 domain names

Music: Beau Hall (www.beaurocks.com)

Food Philosophy is a production of the Culinary Podcast Network (www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com).

food, food podcast, video, sensuality, Food Philosophy, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork, Jennifer Iannolo, PodShow, chefs, Italy, Torino, Piemonte, United Nations

Food Philosophy Videocast #2: The Chefs of Piemonte

I captured some video footage during my Piemonte luncheon at the United Nations, so you can see chefs in action in the kitchen and lotsa pasta — and one particular chef toward whom the camera just seemed to gravitate.

Hear the full audio with interviews on Food Philosophy #50.

www.torinopiemonte.com

Featured Chefs:
Ugo Alciati, Guido (Pollenzo)
Alfredo Russo, Dolce Stil Novo (Cirie)
Mariangela Susigan, Gardenia (Caluso)
Walter Ferretto, Cascinale Nuovo (Asti)
Marta Grassi, Tantris (Novara)
Sergio Vineis, Patio (Pollone)
Mariuccia Ferrero, San Marco (Canelli)
Pier Bussetti, Locanda Mongreno (Torino)
Stefano Gallo, Barrique (Torino)
Massimiliano Musso, Vittoria (Tigliole d’Asti)
Andrea Ribaldone, Fermata (Spinetta Marengo)

Sponsor: Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com)
Use code food1 for 10% off your order
Use code food2 for $5 off orders of $35 or more
Use code food3 for $6.95 domain names

Music: Beau Hall (www.beaurocks.com)

Food Philosophy is a production of the Culinary Podcast Network (www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com).

food, food podcast, video, sensuality, Food Philosophy, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork, Jennifer Iannolo, PodShow, chefs, Italy, Torino, Piemonte, United Nations

Food Philosophy #50: Lunch at the U.N.

I recently attended a luncheon in the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations in New York featuring a festival of tastes from Italy’s Piemonte region. Listen in as I speak with Chef Pier Bussetti, who headed up this team of the Stelle del Piemonte — Piemonte’s Star Chefs — to showcase the region’s unique pairing of tradition with ultra-modern sensibility.

I’ve also had some new ideas about that summer Dating Adventure, and think a dining club would be a helluva lot more fun.

www.torinopiemonte.com

Featured Chefs:
Ugo Alciati, Guido (Pollenzo)
Alfredo Russo, Dolce Stil Novo (Cirie)
Mariangela Susigan, Gardenia (Caluso)
Walter Ferretto, Cascinale Nuovo (Asti)
Marta Grassi, Tantris (Novara)
Sergio Vineis, Patio (Pollone)
Mariuccia Ferrero, San Marco (Canelli)
Pier Bussetti, Locanda Mongreno (Torino)
Stefano Gallo, Barrique (Torino)
Massimiliano Musso, Vittoria (Tigliole d’Asti)
Andrea Ribaldone, Fermata (Spinetta Marengo)

Sponsor: Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com)
Use code food1 for 10% off your order
Use code food2 for $5 off orders of $35 or more
Use code food3 for $6.95 domain names

Music: Beau Hall (www.beaurocks.com)

Food Philosophy is a production of the Culinary Podcast Network (www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com).

food, food podcast, sensuality, Food Philosophy, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork, Jennifer Iannolo, PodShow, chefs, Italy, Torino, Piemonte, United Nations

Food Philosophy #50: Lunch at the U.N.

I recently attended a luncheon in the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations in New York featuring a festival of tastes from Italy’s Piemonte region. Listen in as I speak with Chef Pier Bussetti, who headed up this team of the Stelle del Piemonte — Piemonte’s Star Chefs — to showcase the region’s unique pairing of tradition with ultra-modern sensibility.

I’ve also had some new ideas about that summer Dating Adventure, and think a dining club would be a helluva lot more fun.

www.torinopiemonte.com

Featured Chefs:
Ugo Alciati, Guido (Pollenzo)
Alfredo Russo, Dolce Stil Novo (Cirie)
Mariangela Susigan, Gardenia (Caluso)
Walter Ferretto, Cascinale Nuovo (Asti)
Marta Grassi, Tantris (Novara)
Sergio Vineis, Patio (Pollone)
Mariuccia Ferrero, San Marco (Canelli)
Pier Bussetti, Locanda Mongreno (Torino)
Stefano Gallo, Barrique (Torino)
Massimiliano Musso, Vittoria (Tigliole d’Asti)
Andrea Ribaldone, Fermata (Spinetta Marengo)

Sponsor: Go Daddy (www.godaddy.com)
Use code food1 for 10% off your order
Use code food2 for $5 off orders of $35 or more
Use code food3 for $6.95 domain names

Music: Beau Hall (www.beaurocks.com)

Food Philosophy is a production of the Culinary Podcast Network (www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com).

food, food podcast, sensuality, Food Philosophy, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork, Jennifer Iannolo, PodShow, chefs, Italy, Torino, Piemonte, United Nations

Food Philosophy #36: The University of Gastronomic Sciences

Oh, sweet Mecca. What on earth could be more appealing to a gourmand than the University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG) in Italy? In a word: nothing. Join me on a tour of the one place on this planet that tugs at my heart strings (and brain cells) like no other as we take a journey through Italy’s history and gastronomy.

Begun as an estate many moons ago, UNISG’s Pollenzo campus is a tribute to food, wine and artisanal production with Jonathan, a second-year student whose knowledge and enthusiasm made our tour delightful despite the cloudy weather.

In Part I we’ll tour the campus and learn its history, then Part II will take us through UNISG’s Wine Bank, which is fulfilling Italy’s mission to showcase and preserve its best winemakers and their precious juices.

(P.S. Our CPN colleague Don Genova of All You Can Eat (allyoucaneat.podshow.com) is spending a year at the Parma campus, so check out his show for highlights from his trip. And yes, I’m insanely jealous.)

Music: Beau Hall (http://www.beaurocks.com/)

Food Philosophy is a production of The Gilded Fork (http://www.gildedfork.com/)

www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com

food, food podcast, sensuality, Food Philosophy, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork, Jennifer Iannolo, PodShow, University of Gastronomic Sciences, UNISG, Italy, Piemonte

A timeless dish, the simple yet sumptuous flavors in this recipe offer a gesture of welcome for the truffle harvest. (Note: We show fresh tagliatelle in this photo, which can be used in place of the spaghetti.)

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 fresh black truffles
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. spaghetti (dry weight)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt
Grated Pecorino cheese

Preparation

Brush the truffles gently to clean them. Slice as thinly as possible into a bowl (preferably using a mandoline or truffle grater), pour in the olive oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit at room temperature for a few hours to develop the truffle flavor in the olive oil.

Cook the spaghetti (using 6 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon salt per pound of dried pasta), and heat a little of the truffled olive oil in a skillet, gently cooking the garlic until softened. Do not burn the garlic. Remove from the heat and add the truffles with the rest of the olive oil.

[Chef’s Note:  It is important that truffles never be “cooked”, but just gently warmed, so as not to destroy their delicate flavor.]

When the spaghetti is cooked, drain and add to the truffle and olive oil along with a splash of the cooking water, and gently reheat over very low heat.  Serve with a sprinkling of grated pecorino at the table.

Photo: Kelly Cline
Recipe courtesy of Mark Tafoya