20-09-2016
Cultural in Matera opened like this: the first chef on stage was Peppe Guida of Antica Osteria Nonna Rosa in Vico Equense, to the right, here presented by organiser Mauro Bochicchio and Sonia Gioia
Matera is enjoying a moment of extraordinary liveliness. A jewel of history and beauty perched in the gravine of Basilicata, in a territory that has an intense connection with nearby Apulia. A place which, in the past 70 years, moved from "Italy’s shame", in the words of Togliatti and De Gasperi during a visit in 1949, to the keeper (since 1993 with its Sassi) of a UNESCO World Heritage. These days, however, when walking down the streets and alleys of this city in Basilicata it is clear there’s a growing excitement, energy is being released in view of 2019, when Matera will be European Capital of Culture. An extraordinary opportunity to further develop the local economy that is especially linked to tourism, hospitality, gastronomy and, of course, culture. So it’s no coincidence that in these very days in Matera the Festival of Food Culture, called Cultural took place. It was organised by a passionate and competent professional such as Mauro Bochicchio. However, Cultural’s format wasn’t born in the past few weeks: in fact the event has reached its fourth edition, but until know it had taken place in Paris, where Bochicchio lives and works. Though never forgetting his origins, in Italy and Basilicata.
The beautiful room at Casa Cava: on stage, Pietro Zito, of restaurant Antichi Sapori in Montegrosso di Andria, presented by Danilo Giaffreda
Cristian Torsiello of Osteria Arbustico in Valva (Salerno), presented by Sonia Gioia
One of around 60 dishes presented during Cultural: a modern and completely vegetal take on Pasta alla Norma, by Sicilian Paolo Barrale. The chef works in Irpinia, at Marennà in Sorbo Serpico (Avellino)
Reviews, recommendations and trends from Italy, signed by all the authors of Identità Golose
by
Journalist, based in Milan. At 8 years old, he received a Springsteen record as a gift, and nothing was the same since. Music and food are his passions. Author and broadcaster at Radio Popolare since 1997, since 2014 he became part of the staff of Identità Golose Instagram: @NiccoloVecchia