20-02-2014
In the centre, standing, Paola Bertini in a photo taken in Rivolta d’Adda (Bergamo), during a risotto-based charity event. Charity association ilbuongustaio, tel. +39.0363.370292, with the help, among others of chef Sergio Mei and actor Enrico Bertolino, fights for some important projects in Africa and Brazil. For info, g.brandazza@iol.it and tel. +39.0363.370877 and +39.347.5512784
Should you ask Paola Bertini which is the most important ingredient in her recipes, her reply would be only one: love. Seasoned with a visceral passion for cooking. These two components are sustained by a structure that is strongly anchored to the tradition of Bergamo, genetically handed over by her grandmother, who raised 8 children, and by her mother who every Sunday illustrates the ancient flavours of her territory to 14 palates.
Paola Bertini
The idea is simple: sharing a nice house with many friends-members who make a reservation, dine and then pay a prearranged price. The earnings, after subtracting only the cost of the food (all other expenses and the manpower are offered by the family) go to finance these projects in Africa. Since then, thanks to Paola’s cuisine, with the only help of her daughters Monica and Federica, of mother Mariarosa, husband Gigi and nephew Luca, they have already created six water wells in Niger and one in Zambia. They have rebuilt a kindergarten in Ethiopia and as of two year’s ago they’re providing food and education to over 250 children. Paola has now a project to create five more wells in Niger and one in Brazil, in collaboration with friend and showman Enrico Bertolino. All these projects are managed personally and created by local people. All this is documented with videos and rigorous and detailed accounting records.
Paola together with Pietro Leemann, chef of Joia in Milan
This, however, is still not enough. There’s a new location now, dedicated to the members of the association. It’s in a beautiful 19th century Lombard palace, with two dining rooms, two kitchens, a billiard room, one dedicated to music and board games, one where it is possible to taste essences and excellent beers, enjoy Cuban cigars and soft music, a few rooms for the bed&breakfast, a delightful and reserved outdoor garden and a summer terrace, all this in the centre of a village just outside Milan.
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