Talking with Chef Guido in Lazio | The Spirit of Venice

It’s been a while since we’ve sent out a newsletter; thanks for hanging in there. I don’t know when American tourists will return to Italy, but one hopes it can’t be too long; the tourism industry is hurting.

American citizens with a residence permit can go back to their homes in Italy, providing they’re willing to undergo 14 days of quarantine without leaving the house at all (and they check!). We have an account of such a return made by friends who have a place in Lucca. See: Travel to Italy in the time of the Coronavirus.

Branching out. Let’s Zoom Together

Since travel to Italy is on hold for the moment, we thought maybe you’d be interested in an interactive chat with Chef Guido Santi on the traditional foods of his region, Lazio. Guido does online cooking classes from his kitchen and cooking school in the historic Sabine Hills, a wonderful place to visit only a short train ride from Rome. Here are the essentials for participating:

Topic: Zoom Conversation Chef Guido and James

Time: Aug 2, 2020 07:00 PM Rome (10 AM PST / 1PM EST)
Join Zoom Meeting LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81766275310
Meeting ID: 817 6627 5310

From the “If we want good things we’re gonna have to pay for them” department..

My friend, cicchetti guide extraordinaire Monica Cesserato is the driving force behind a proposed film that focuses on the extraordinary occupants of Venice, the artists and artisans that make the city a compelling place to visit. As a journalist, I’m fully behind this kind of film, because I’ve had to watch the continuing dreck the tourist bureau puts out, you know, those dreamy films featuring vacuous, beautiful people on their yachts drinking sparkling wine while the wind flows through their blond locks with a tiny corner of the island visible in the background.

But the thing is, in order to free yourself from the zonked-out adman’s view of Italy, you must find the money to make a decent film. So I’d like to encourage you, if you are of a like mind, to contribute to the making of this film. It will be called Anima Veneziana, and at the bottom of the page is the donate button.

Just in case you don’t think Monica has the Anima to pull this off, you should listen to this interview on talk radio Europe.

A new Facebook Page for the food folks

Yes, we’ve decided we have way too much content on food, so I transformed Tuscany for Foodies to Traditional Italian Food. It has content from Italian Menu Master, La Cucina Povera, and our vast archives of food pictures and menu notes.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the edition of our newsletter. Pass it on to anyone who may like some Italy Travel information.