March in Florence means fine food and drink—and lots of it. The 2013 edition of Taste promises to be the best yet, when the city of Florence is all about food and drink. From March 9 to 11, curious gourmets and gourmands from nearby and around the world will converge on the city to explore and buy both traditional and contemporary enogastronomical delights from over 280 food and drink producers at the Taste Tour in the Stazione Leopolda and talk food with experts, producers and the merely food-passionate.
An area at the Stazione Leopolda will be focused on culinary specialties from Spain. Participants will have a chance to get to know and learn more about leading products such as Joselito (considered to be one of the top producers of pata negra ham), delicious Sanfilippo anchovies, and the famous Conservas del Cambados fish preserves from the Iberian peninsula.
Taste Ring, led by Italy’s famed ‘gastronaut’ and food critic Davide Paolini, will discuss some the latest trends in the food sector at the Leopolda, including food and cake design (March 9, 2:30pm); the return, after years of star-studded cooking shows, to simplicity and tradition in the kitchen reminiscent of the 1950s (March 9, 4pm); and a debate about what makes a great pizza with some of Italy’s best pizzaioli (March 10, 2pm).
The Fuoriditaste programme, which runs from March 7 to 11, features more than 100 off-site meetings and food and wine events throughout the city, many of which are free. Events will be held in restaurants, pubs and specialty food stores, as well as fashion and furniture boutiques, art galleries, theatres and museums. Don’t miss the 0km vegetable market Ortobello in the courtyard of the workshop–store Riccardo Barthel (March 10; 9am–4pm; via dei Serragli 234r; francesco@riccardobarthel.it). Here we offer a selection of the best free and low-cost Fouriditaste events (check times and dates here: http://tinyurl.com/a3do84t).
2013 TASTE: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE DIVERSITY OF TASTE
March 9 to 11 Stazione Leopolda, V.le Fratelli Rosselli 5
Hours and ticket prices: www.pittimmgaine.com
For Fuoriditaste events: www.fuoriditaste.com; facebook.com/fuoriditaste
CALENDAR OF CITY EVENTS
PAID EVENTS @ FUORIDITASTE
March 8, 2013
A special aperitivo at the Four Seasons Atrium Bar (borgo Pinti 99) featuring a selection of wines and appetizers with Macelleria Mannori of Prato products: IGP Toscano oil dip, Calvana tripe prepared alla fiorentina, small artisan hot dogs by these famed Prato butchers, and lasagne made with radish and mortadella. (6–9:30pm; first serving 20 euro, following servings 10 euro; Tel. 055/2626470)
Taste the latest creation of Michelin-starred chef Marco Stabile and Alessandro Frassina at ‘INO (via dei Georgofili 3): try this simple panino lashed with IGP Tuscan olive oil and vinegar made by beer producer, 32 via dei Birrai (11:30am–4:30pm; prices à la carte; Tel. 055/219208).
Three classic pizzas—Margherita, Napoli and Marinara—are made with the Casa Barone Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP tomato at La Pizzeria del Caffè Italiano (via Isola delle Stinche 13r). Don’t miss a taste of pizza made with this super tomato, known for its lively and intense flavours and cultivated in the volcanic soil of Mt. Vesuvius in Naples. (7:30pm; 8 euro; Tel. 055/289020, 055/289080)
A special tasting menu, From Boiled … To Broiled, at La Sosta del Convivium (viale Europa 4) features the succulent meat of the Cinta Senese pig, sliced cured meats and prosciutto from Tuscany, traditional soups and homemade tortelli pasta. These stars of the evening are served with wines from the Distilleria Bottega. Organized in collaboration with the Salumificio Renieri on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8), all the women attending will receive a small gift (8:30pm; 25 euro; Tel. 055/6802482; gastronomia@conviviumfirenze.it).
March 9, 2013
Enjoy a sensory adventure at the Circolo Aurora (piazza Tasso, at the corner of viale Pratolini 2) with this Emotional Taste event. Drinks are made with pure organic essential oils and vaporized essences and paired with foods to bring out the scent of each concoction (7pm; 7 euro; Tel. 055/224059; info@circoloaurorafirenze.it).
Artisan beer from the Birrificio San Quirico meets high-quality chili pepper by Tuscan producer Peperita and vegetarian and vegan haute cuisine for a culinary evening, called Chef & Beer & Chili, at the BVeg restaurant (via Orti Oricellari 6). The producers in attendance will discuss the history, production methods and best pairings for their products (8:30pm; 30 euro; Tel. 055/281995, 055/224059; info@circoloaurorafirenze.it).
The Sounds Taste event at Combo Music Drinks Food (via Mannelli 2) unites music and good food late into the night. The tasting menu features Spanish specialities by such producers and brands as Verrigni Antico Forno Rosetano, Sanfilippo, Cambados, Joselito, Fonterosa, Vecchio Varzi and T’a Cioccolata (8:30pm; 20 euro; Tel. 338/7974850).
March 10, 2013
The Circolo Aurora (piazza Tasso, at the corner of viale Pratolini 2) hosts the Senseless Aperitivo, in which participants must use their remaining four senses in complete darkness! The visually impaired cooks of the Incontri Ravvicinati association, which organizes social events for the blind, will guide the tasting. (7pm; 10 euro; Tel. 055/224059; info@circoloaurorafirenze.it; www.incontriravvicinati.wordpress.com).
March 11, 2013
Go to the Santo Spirito area to meet at the new pub, Pittamingolli (piazza Santo Spirito 17r), butchers from the Macellerie Vignoli 1946, who will offer products from their farm, Il Casalone Vignoli, for this aperitivo (8pm; 5 euro; Tel. 055/2382383). Participants can continue the evening with the same products at a special dinner hosted by Osteria di Santo Spirito (piazza Santo Spirito 16r). The price of dinner includes a bottle of Casalone Vignoli’s award-winning olive oil (8–11pm; 25 euro; Tel. 055/2382383).
FREE EVENTS @ FUORIDITASTE
March 8, 2013
Pastificio dei Campi and the Gelateria Carapina present a very special treat at the gelateria in piazza Oberdan: paccheri pasta prepared like pastries and stuffed with ice cream (7pm; free, Tel. 081/8018430; margherita@pastificiodeicampi.it).
Don’t miss this event at the Scuola di Arte Culinaria Cordon Bleu (via di Mezzo 55r) focusing on the famed artisan durum wheat pasta from Tuscany by Pastificio Fabbri, in a lesson given by Giovanni Fabbri and Gabriella Mari. Butchers from the Macelleria Vignoli will prepare two pasta sauces that participants can taste (6:30pm; free, by reservation only; Tel. 055/2345468; info@cordonbleu-it.com).
March 9, 2013
The worlds of vintage clothing and chocolate team up for this unique event, Fabrics of Cocoa, at A.N.G.E.L.O. (via dei Cimatori 35r ). Vintage clothing will mimic the cocoa of the famed Florentine chocolate cake, Torta Pistocchi, in a tasting event that will satisfy both the eyes and taste buds (5 to 8pm; free; Tel. 055/214916; firenze@angelo.it).
It’s an ‘Aperipop’ at Il Magazzino in piazza della Passera! Offal enthusiasts can’t miss this celebration of Florence’s best-loved dish: lampredotto. Includes a tasting of the city’s best dishes from popular Tuscan cuisine, alongside a glass of Chianti Classico Istine di Angela Fronti wine (6 to 8pm; free, by reservation only; Tel. 055/215969; ilmagazzino@live.it).
The Pasticceria Fausto presents a tasting of the traditional sweets from Giglio island at Conad Sapori & Dintorni, on via dei Bardi 45 (9:30am–12:30 and 3:30–7pm; free; Tel. 055/290388).
The Vola Colomba Vola event takes place at the Obikà (via dei Tornabuoni 16) and is dedicated to the colomba, a special Easter cake created in the shape of a dove. Colomba cakes will be made from traditional dough and specially selected ingredients. Food critic Davide Paolini will present the producers and together they will explain how the cake is made (5:30-9pm; free; Tel. 055/2773526; firenze@obika.it)
The Langhe region’s exceptional products will be the focus at the Kartell (borgo Ognissanti 52r) store in Florence. Expect to taste the area’s goat cheeses, Castelmagno cheese, Guido Gobino chocolates, as well as Barolo, Barbaresco and Moscato wines (6-9pm; free; Tel. 055/288921; info@kartellflag.com).
March 10, 2013
Leonardo Di Vicenzo and Simone Bonini present an innovative pairing: artisan beer and gelato! This must-attend tasting event is hosted by Gelateria Carapina Lambertesca (via Lambertesca 18r) and features Birra del Borgo’s chilled Oyster Stout Perle ai Porci alongside Florentine chef Arturo Dori’s finger foods. The gelato will be available for tasting at Carapina all day (8am-9pm; free samples, while supplies last; luciana@birradelborgo.it).
IGP Tuscan olive oil is reinterpreted as ice cream at Il Re Gelato (viale Strozzi 8r). Expect to taste savoury and sweet versions of this gelato made with olive oil, on both a cone and on bread! (8-9pm; free; Tel. 055/495939).
Forget high tea and opt for ‘high beer’ instead at Boutique Nadine (via Benci 32r). Try this unusual tasting of Birra del Borgo and Bodrato Chocolate, alongside a selection of sweet and savoury finger foods by Italian artisans (5pm; free; Tel. 055/2478274; luciana@birradelborgo.it).
