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06/30/2006 Archived Entry: "Regione Campania Workshops"

There were an overwhelming number of you who wanted to attend the cooking demonstrations that I will be doing at the Regione Campania offices next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 6, 7, and 8. Most unfortunately, because seating is very limited, I have had to close the registration for all the sessions except Saturday morning at 10 a.m., which still has a few places available.

That said:
On those three days, the Region of Campania invites everyone to their offices from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for “Meet & Mangia,” a free exhibition (with tastes) of foods from Campania. As I know you know, that’s the region of which Naples is the main city, the region of the Amalfi Coast, the provinces of Avellino, Salerno, Caserta, Benevento … the beautiful city of Sorrento, ancient Pompeii. More to the point, it’s the land of tomatoes and the cuisine that not only Americans, but according to a recent survey, Italians themselves still favor over all other Italian regional cuisines. I should add that I have a vested interest in promoting the region of Campania. I wrote the book, “Naples at Table: Cooking in Campania”, which, of course, will be available for purchase and my signature.

The address of the Regione Campania offices in Manhattan is:
4 E. 54th St., fifth floor, enter through the Kiton store

In addition to the all day “Meat and Mangia,” after my 3 p.m. class on Thursday, you are welcome to attend a seminar called ”Introduction to the Mediterranean Diet, The Foods of Campania and Health.” And at 4:30 p.m., you can “Become a Certified Gastronomic Friend of Campania,” learning about the wonderful wines, foods, and cooking of Campania with my friends the Italian cookbook author Michele Scicolone, and her husband, Charles Scicolone, who knows more about Italian wine than just about anyone. Also on the panel (and also a friend) is David Rosengarten, as knowledgeable a food-guy as there is; Giorgio DeLuca, as in Dean & DeLuca, sommelier Mariella Caputo, the one panelist that I don’t know, and Mimmo Magliulo, who I do know very well. He’s the owner of Buon Italia, the great Italian market (and food importing company) in the Chelsea Market on Ninth Ave. and 15th St. Moderating the panel is K. Dun Gifford, president of Oldways, an organization that promotes … well … the old ways of doing food things, to put it as succinctly as I can.

Finally, at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Rocco di Spirito is scheduled to make an appearance and conduct a cooking class.

I know I will see many of you there.