I’ve just got back from Turin in Italy where I was invited by Garofalo Pasta to cook at the Salone del Gusto. The internationally renowned event is a celebration of slow food which attracts food lovers, buyers and producers from all over the world. This was the eight time the event, which is run biannually, has been held and with guests from over 160 countries it’s an incredibly abundant festival.
The Marketplace is home to over 200 exhibitors, which have been selected in collaboration with Slow Food’s regional and international offices. It is split into three pavilions, with two representing the whole of Italy and the third dedicated to the rest of the world.
Rob and I walked around over the two days we were there, exploring the stalls and sampling produce but it was impossible to take everything in; there was so much! We ate well at lunchtimes, devouring the most flavoursome risotto (with a great bite to it, as you’d expect) and a deliciously savoury and herby porchetta sandwich, the memory of which is making my mouth water. And wandering around we took in an incredible array of cheeses and meats, oils, wines and spirits, herbs, pasta and rice, fruits and vegetables. It was so vast and seemingly never-ending (had I died and gone to heaven?). I only wish I could have taken a suitcase full of goodies back to England with me.
In part 2 I’ll tell you all about the excitement, fun and nervousness of cooking for around 30 – mainly Italian – food lovers at such a gastronomical event. Would my nerves get the better of me? What would the Italian foodies make of my British pasta dish? And what was the sausage-saga and how did it end?
It sounds like a great event Julia, and the pictures are lovely You are getting more famous by the day! Well done you should be so proud of yourself. Janet
Wonderful pics and Amazing Experince, Dear Julia. So funny how you sound like if you were a bit excited before the event but still managed to record this amazing experience.
British pasta dish? Really? Always thought cooking was sexless and countryless ahahahahahah
What a funny christmas tree they had 😀
I wish you’d come to a similar event in Portugal.
Hi Julia,
Just wanted to say congratulations on the Sunday Times Style article, you look great and come across really well. Can’t wait for the book and for my interview with you (he he he)
Dom
x
Celery! Proper celery! It warms my heart to see that, same as it breaks it a tiny bit when I see heads of celery here minus their crowning glory.
Author
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Janet – aww, thanks! x
Teresa – I’d love to come to Portugal x
Dom – thanks so much, that’s very kind! It would be great to interview you; drop me a line on the contact form with your details x
Lisa – I know! I had exactly the same reaction, hence taking the photo x
*grins* I saw some celery like that in my local greengrocers, as they have been taken over by Turkish people. I’m certain everyone else thought I was crazy to be grinning so much over celery. Let us not speak of when I found the white courgettes or the box of raw, fresh olives…*innocent whistle*
a food fest for food enthusiast! i would desperately want to go to that place. just a look at your photos makes me want to attend that event. two days of exploring the site is not enough. so much more to see and taste.
This looks really good, a haven for foodies=)
Great pictures!
Thought you and your readers would find this post of interest
http://www.cellartours.com/blog/italy/salone-del-gusto-notes-from-this-years-food-fair-extravaganza-in-piedmont-italy
warm regards, Simona @ Cellar Tours
Thank you for sharing such a great event!!