andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

The word festa means party - and in a couple of weeks there is going to be a big one in Vico Equense (Na).  An annual festa put on by Chef Gennaro Esposito (Torre del Saracino, 2 Michelin stars) who has, for the twelfth year in the row, put together a 3 day event starring top chefs, top food and big fun. What makes this party different?  It is all for a good cause - to raise money for some special charities.. "Project UTA, the breath of life." The project will equip the new Department of Pathology Neonatal Pediatric Hospital Santobono Pausilipon of Naples of a unit of Air treatment for clinical settings of acute complexity: a latest generation systems and high technology to sanitize the air that will guarantee tiny critically ill patients an optimal environment and secure, with constant temperature and humidity levels and sterile air, thus preventing any kind of contamination that could be fatal for an infant in situation of great vulnerability. The project, whose tot...

I can't remember the last time I say so many hues of blue in one place.  Clean blues mingled with crisp whites greeted me as I entered the reception area of Hotel Capo La Gala. It was an early Thursday evening, I was at the gorgeous 5 star hotel awaiting to be accompanied to the Michelin star Maxi Restaurant to meet Chef   Domenico Iavarone and try some of his stellar dishes. The trip to meet the chef  included a trail with fantastic views of the Sorrento Peninsula, the sea, and the seashore. Colorful blues were joined by other crisp sunny colors mixed with bamboo and wood. Upon arrival, at the end of the dining room I saw the chef along with key players of the dining room staff to include Maitre Giulia Tavolaro and Sommelier Alfonso Somma .  Each with a smile that said Welcome to Maxi! A quick look around, then into the large colorful kitchen where I met the rest of the chef's brigade and chatted a little bit about the gourmet restaurant Maxi open in the eve...

It was early that Saturday afternoon.  A half an hour or so before lunch time, and I was enjoying the silence in  the garden which separated the back entrance to the kitchen and Don Alfonso 1890 's Scuola di Cucina .  The colorful pillows on the bamboo couch were the perfect benvenuto after a relaxing drive to the small town of Sant'Agata Sui Due Golfi located about 20 minutes from the busy tourist haven  of Sorrento.  After a glass of acqua gassata fredda but not too much - after a welcome back/good to see you/how have you been  conversation with Maitre de Maison Mario Iaccarino , a chat with his mother   la Signora Livia Iaccarino ,  Chef Ernesto Iaccarino came over to greet me.  It was my first visit of the season, my fifth season on the comfy couch and we had some catching up to do. The calendar read early May, but the temperature that afternoon felt more like early summer . Greatly appreciated for the restaurant which w...