andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

Save the date, Karen...22 August. Those were the words spoken to me by Chef Francesco Russo a few months ago after an early spring lunch at Il Golfo Ristorante in Raito (Sa) He continued by explaining that the Ragosta Hotel Collection chain of 5 star hotels would be hosting the third evening of  three part dinner series  there at the hotel. It sounded interestingly tasty, so I penciled the date into my agenda... The date arrived - a late summer Saturday evening.  The six hands dinner which showcased the talents of three chefs from three separate hotels in three separate regions.  Six hands that worked well together thanks to not only their professionalism, but also to a  strong friendship that ties them together. From left to right -Chef Francesco Russo of Hotel Raito on the Amalfi Coast, Chef Simone Strano of Palazzo Martemartini in Rome, and Chef Giovanni Grasso of La Plage Resort in Sicily. The meal began with a light breeze and Neapolitan music on the terrac

It has been a sensational seafood summer thanks to dishes like this one served on the beach in Seiano on the Sorrento coast.   Chef Giacomo De Simone of Ristorante Punta Scutolo presented this first course dish that was as light and delicate as the sea breeze that August afternoon. Fresh tortello pasta... stuffed with cicala di mare , also known as canocchie , or mantis shrimp... with shavings from truffles from the nearby town of Faito... Fantastic.

During the drive from Apice in the province of Benevento  to Luogosano in Avellino, the conversation went from lively  to nearly silent.  It was a late morning towards the end of July, and I was sitting shotgun next to agronomist Antonio Dente of Mastroberardino Winery  for another vineyard hopping adventure. At first I wasn't sure what we were doing on this side of Irpinia's A glianico country - mentally performing a quick inventory of  where the winery has their Aglianico vineyards... Montemarano, Pietrdefusi, Mirabella, Pompeii... But Luogosano? La vigna storica , Dente said as he turned down a narrow road.   We've spoken about it before . The historical Aglianico vineyards that have been the roots, so to speak, of an exciting experiment that Mastroberardino Winery has been working on since 2000. Yes - spoken about it, but I had never been. Until today. Instantly I straightened up in my seat and looked intently out the window as that narrow road became an e

The Pomigliano Jazz Festival is back with its 20th edition.  I had a chance to go last year ( here ) and am really looking forward to this year's lineup. As last year, the Mt. Vesuvius crater will be among the various festival locations. The link to the full program can be found here. NOTE DI GUSTO/NOTES OF TASTE in collaboration with Slow Food Vesuvius, Naples and Agro Nolano , will also be present during each concert to promote wine, food and tourism with the aim to present the  Agri-food biodiversity of the  territories and the importance of preserving it in time to a large audience.

Falciano del Massico in the Caserta province opens its door to the thirteenth edition of the Wine Competition "Immortal Falernum" I've always had a soft part for Falerno del Massico wines and I am proud to participate in this exciting evening. Here is what is going on...  The prestigious event, strongly linked to the virtues of the   Falerno wine territory returns with its thirteenth edition, establishing itself as an event capable of engaging and enhancing the area. On August 29, 2015, in  the Piazza Limata  parking lot  in  Falciano del Massico, Wine Competition Immortal Falernum will return to the scene.. It is an event organized by Acsta, in collaboration with the Municipality of Falciano del Massico andby  the most important local wineries. A unique event and a professional quality in an area that, for years, has established itself as a leader in the wine industry and beyond. Partners include Slow Food Massico and Roccamonfina; Brotherhood of Falerno; Athena