09-05-2017
Ex president of the United States Barack Obama between Bobo (left) and Francesco Cerea, two of the three multi-starred brothers from Vittorio in Brusaporto (Bergamo)
I would have liked to be an invisible presence at the dinner in honour of Barack Obama on the evening of Monday 8th May in Milan, the eve of his speech at the third edition of Seeds&Chips, The Global Food Innovation Summit in Rho’s trade-fair. I would have liked to see his face when he sat at Palazzo Clerici, a 17th century building behind the Scala, chosen because it’s only a few hundred metres’ from Park Hyatt, the 5 star luxury hotel where the ex president of the United States stayed, with three floors reserved for him and his entourage.
Surely he must have been impressed by Tiepolo’s frescos. They date back to almost three centuries ago, to 1740. «We’re certainly making a good impression as Italians», said Francesco Cerea. The photos alone are breath taking, let’s not talk of a visit in person. Cerea is guaranteed success when it comes to delight when playing away from home. Attacking when playing at home, where everything is familiar, is easy. Less so far away from your kitchen. Vittorio from Brusaporto near Bergamo had to organise the table for a total of twenty guests.
Two out of twenty asked for a special menu, Monti and Versace. All the others followed the guest in a way. Just one desire: drink Italian, from start to finish. Which means the bubbles too. So when at 6.30 pm the waiters started to serve the finger food, they poured Trento Ferrari Maximum Brut and Francesco Cerea on the phone almost laughs: «It’s a da Vittorio selection that the Lunelli family makes for us». Why not take the chance for some promotion?
Chicco and Bobo Cerea’s modern Tiramisu
At 7.30 everyone sat. With a mandatory rule: the event was to finish at 9. First, second and then the dessert: Gnocchetto with ricotta, heart of branzi cheese, Spanish moss and black truffle from Norcia; Veal shoulder with white Port («Remember, Paolo, not just Port: white Port, it’s important»); then the ace of hearts: Modern Tiramisu. «We chose this dessert because it’s an Italian dessert famous all over the world. Except we added our touch and transformed it into a brick». Wines? Sauvignon 2015 from Attems, Merlot-Corvina Corte Giara 2015 from Allegrini and Moscato d’Asti Ca’ Du Sindic 2916 from Sergio Grimaldi.
The Tiepolo Room at Palazzo Clerici in Milan before the dinner in honour of Barack Obama
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born in Milan in March 1955, at Il Giornale for 31 years dividing himself between sports and food, since 2004 he's the creator and curator of Identità Golose. blog www.paolomarchi.it instagram instagram.com/oloapmarchi