Romeo Innocenti Offering Buffalo, New York a Taste of Tuscany

Tuscan Way, the leader in Tuscany cooking courses and wine tastings and friend of SDSol, is bringing Romeo Innocenti stateside for a unique cooking demonstration and a mouthwatering food and wine tasting experience.


Join him in the WNED studios on July 19th for this exciting event. Space is limited so please RSVP for WNED: A Taste of Tuscany right away!  


If you would prefer to connect with Romeo in Tuscany, Italy instead please book an Italian cooking vacation here. 

Ciao! 

Tuscany Travels Aboard: A Taste of Italy, Wherever You Find Yourself

Tuscany, located in central Italy, is known for its lively populace, historic art and architecture, and delightful food and wines. With a rich artistic legacy; home to greats such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Vespucci, Tuscany is generally accepted as the cultural capital of Italy if not the world at large. While a trip to Tuscany is warranted to truly experience all a Tuscan cultural tour has to offer global interest in Tuscany has made many of the joys of Tuscany accessible elsewhere.

 

Tuscan Art:
Tuscany has forever impacted the art world. Native sons da Vinci and Michelangelo have spawned admirers, students, and imitators throughout the centuries. The Italian Renaissance, which was birthed in Florence, signaled the opening phase of the Renaissance as a whole, which was a period of great cultural, artistic, and social achievement for Europe.  Those in search of Tuscan art abroad should go to premier museums such as MOMA in New York or the Art Institute of Chicago.

Tuscan Cooking:
Most recently, Georgio Armani opened his boutique hotel in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalida, in Dubai. Amongst the offerings in the 160-floor building is Ristorante, Armani’s take on traditional Tuscan cuisine. Quality Tuscany cooking is also available stateside at restaurants such as Nino’s or Terraza Toscana, both in New York City. While Armani is sure to rise to the occasion, generally the trip to Tuscany must be made to experience true authentic Italian cooking. The master chefs and their secret recipes, the fresh-from-market vegetables, the home-made cheeses, and the subtle undertones of Tuscan olive oil must all be experienced first hand in Tuscany. For first time travelers to Tuscany let me caution you that Olive Garden will never be the same again after enjoying the fruits of Tuscan cooking.

Tuscan Wine and olive oil:
Tuscany gives is some of the best and most revered red wines in the world. From classic blends to Super Tuscans, which don’t adhere to traditional rules, Tuscany dominates the wine landscape. The growth of ecommerce and the explosion of the upscale wine industry as a hobby have made Tuscan wines available throughout the world. However, one experience that must be taken in is enjoying a tall glass of Tuscan wine in the very vineyard in which it was grown.

Tuscany has made everlasting artistic, social, and culinary contributions to the world, many of which even predate the Renaissance. Much of what Tuscany has to offer is available elsewhere, but the tastes, smells, scenery, and lively culture can never be duplicated. Wine connoisseurs, art buffs, and foodies the world over should all take a trip to Tuscany. When traveling it is vital to enlist a guide with the access and resources needed to show the sweet secrets of Tuscany. I suggest contacting Tuscan Way, the leader in food and wine cooking tours of Tuscany, for more details.

The Cats Out of the Bag: Tuscan Cat Stew is Off the Menu

Famed Italian TV personality and chef Giuseppe "Beppe" Bigazzi is under fire for his love of “gatto in umido,” which is plainly translated into English as cat stew. Bigazzi hosts the popular late-morning chef program “La Prova del Cuoco,” where he made his admission. The network has suspended Beppe indefinitely amidst outrage from local and international animal rights groups.  Some are even calling for legal action against the host for inciting cruelty to animals.

The cat stew, like most other modern dishes using domesticated or nuisance animals, traces its roots back to the famine and poverty-stricken time immediately following WW2. Reeling in the wake of the Nazi occupation and Mussolini’s reign, Tuscans had to forgo the delicacies of their cooking in favor of more readily available fair e.g. cats. As life retuned to normalcy in antebellum Tuscany the dish fell out of favor and was quickly replaced with traditional Tuscan culinary delights such as bistecca alla fiorenta and cellentani alla boscaiola. Nearly all Tuscans see cat stew as a piece of history, not as a menu item.

Beppe disagrees. He stated that the stew wasn’t a way to stave off starvation, but rather as "one of the great dishes of the Valdarno." He even offered up culinary advice, mentioning that the cat should be left in a rapid stream for three days. His co-host (and cat lover) Elisa Isoardi tried in vain to change the subject. Reportedly during a break Beppe refused to apologize, expecting that “racist” environmentalists would be outraged. Beppe did later back peddle, claiming his comments had been misinterpreted, and that the whole idea was a “complete folly.”

Tuscany has a long tradition of culinary expertise extending well beyond daytime cooking programs. The Tuscan countryside is home to many of the finest wines, meat, recipes, and olive oils that the world has to offer. With fresh ingredients and home-made cooking, the food in Tuscany is truly a joy. Master Chef Carlo Innocenti even welcomes guests into his home, offering classes on how to prepare his family recipes. The meals are then shared over tall glasses of wine, courtesy of his son and sommelier Romeo. Tuscan meals must be experienced to be understood as they must come complete with the perfect wine pairing and tales about life lived the Tuscan way.

Tour operators and locals alike welcome guests to Tuscany year round. Visitors come for a variety of reasons including viewing the architecture, to appreciate art and sculptures, and of course Tuscan cooking and wine tours. Tuscan Way, found at http://www.tuscanway.com offers unique trips into the heart of Tuscany. Guests have a range of options, from staying in Carlo Innocenti’s home, perched atop a hill next to the town castle, to staying in rustic Tuscan villas surrounded by rolling meadows and vineyards. Before booking a trip to Tuscany it is highly recommended that you speak to the folks at Tuscan Way. They have the resources and capabilities to deliver a truly memorable experience. Buen Provecho!

Tourists considering a food and wine trip to Tuscany should contact Tuscan Way. They can be reached online at http://www.tuscanway.com or by phone at (800) 766-2390.

Artisan Chocolate Fair: A Taste of Florence

Visitors to Florence from February 4th to 7th better bring their sweet tooth. The Artisan Chocolate Fair, an annual event, will be taking place during this time. Full of fun, free activities the fair includes chocolate sampling, shows, art, live music, and games. Look out for the working chocolate lamps; they are a very unique site that would make Mr. Wonka himself jump for joy.

The highlight of the show will be indulging in free samples courtesy of Tuscany's premier chocolate makers. Going well beyond the Hershey bar, samplings will include chocolate teas, coffees, and other drinks. As is par for the course in Tuscany, all treats will be accompanied by tall glasses of native vino.

Piazza Santa Croce, where this all takes place, will be open from 10 to 10 during this time, giving visitors and Tuscan natives alike plenty of time to explore and enjoy Florence's chocolate samplings.

While in town, travelers should be sure to experience Tuscany as a native would, the Tuscan Way. What does this mean? Staying in rustic Tuscan villas and enchanted castles, enjoying endless glasses of wine from nearby vineyards, and sharing tales of romance and intrigue over family recipes of the best pasta and sauces in the world. All are "must-do's" for visitors seeking a real Tuscan experience.

While there are a seemingly endless number of tour providers, they are not all created equal. Few truly deliver the blissful Tuscan experience. The premier Tuscany travel provider is Tuscan Way. They indulge guests with endless food and wine in serene settings. Days are filled with tours, museums, art, and culture, while nights are spend with food and wine, family and friends. A prime selling point is the guides who will accompany guests on their excursions. The Innocenti family, who have opened their doors to guests of Tuscan Way, share both their homes and recipes with visitors.

Whether you are visiting Tuscany for the chocolate fair, food, or culture play it safe and choose Tuscan Way as your travel provider. With a powerful mix of experience, properties, family, and access they are sure to please.

Tuscan Way, the premier Italian travel provider, can be reached on the web at http://www.tuscanway.com/ or by calling (800) 766-2390. Book today and buen provecho!