Brecht once said that for the elite of society talking about food was
considered low class, because, of course, they had always eaten their fill.
Inspired by reflections like these, 20 years ago, in the south west of Piedmont,
between the Langhe and Roero hills, the Slow Food
Movement was born. In the years that followed this movement has grown to become
synonymous with a philosophy that treasures and protects the time honoured
traditions of producing and preparing food.
Among the founders of this
“democracy of the palate” we find Carlin Petrini, a member of ARCI, who created
the Terra Madre movement (mother earth - an international organization which
defends traditional agricultural around the world), and founded the Universities
of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo and Colorno.
As the “slow food” philosophy has spread around the globe, Piedmont has
become one of the key world centers of food and wine tourism.
For a traveler
form England or Germany, America or Switzerland, a trip to Piedmont is an
adventure for the taste buds, an exploration of new and exciting tastes.
And
there are some taste experiences which absolutely cannot be missed: to mention
only a few, the capons from Morozzo and the Belle cherries from Garbagna, the
Cevrin cheeses from Coazze and the Gallina Bianca chickens from Saluzzo, the “cardo
gobbo” cardoons from Nizza Monferrato and the tench fish from Poirino.
Piedmont
has no less than 50 restaurants classified as “ristoranti d’eccellenza”, where
the cooking and the quality of the local produce used is superb.
Here,
traditional recipes blend with the innovative ideas, passion combines with
culinary art, to create unique and unforgettable dishes.
If it is true, as they
say, that people are what they eat, then some of the compliments must also go to
these chefs.
