The Italian Cultural Institute presents ENOGASTRONOMIA
The Italian Cultural Institute presents Enogastronomia – a series of book presentations, lectures and tasting panels on Italian agricultural and artisanal food products as well as cooking classes. Each event focuses on a particular theme, season or region in Italy with an emphasis on cooking Italian food at home.
The series is curated by Viola Buitoni, Italian food expert and former caterer, and Antonio Tartaglione, certified sommelier and Italian wine importer. All presentations will take place at the Italian Cultural Institute, located at 814 Montgomery Street, San Francisco. (Cooking classes will take place at the Italian Consulate, located at 2151 Broadway Street, San Francisco.)
The Enogastronomia series kicked off Tuesday, December 7 with “The Italian Holiday Table”, a panel discussion on the regional differences in holiday foods and traditions throughout Italy. Continuing in the new year, there will be a tasting panel entitled “Winter Bounty: Olio Nuovo, Funghi e Tartufi” on January 11, followed by a lecture and tasting on Italian Heirloom Wines on February 14, a talk and tasting on Foods and Traditions of Italian Carnival on March 2, a documentary and book presentation on Cooking with Italian Grandmothers on April 13, and a book presentation of Beyond the Pasta by Mark Leslie on May 18.
Viola Buitoni is a direct descendant of the Buitoni family, premier producers of pasta and chocolate in the heart of Umbria and Tuscany dating back to the early 19th century. When she moved from Italy to New York, Viola worked for a decade in premier Italian kitchens and dining rooms and later founded a successful homebased catering operation with Yolanda Garretti as well as a small storefront on Madison Avenue called Buitoni and Garretti.
After a hiatus from her career to move to San Francisco and raise a family, Viola has now launched this series of educational initiatives on Italian food and wine with the support of San Francisco’s Italian Cultural Institute and its director Amelia Carpenito Antonucci.
Hailing from Roma, Antonio Tartaglione became a wine sommelier in 1997. Since that time he has worked as Wine Director for the most prominent wine bars and restaurants in Rome and Paris. He has spent time in all the wine regions of Europe with a particular focus and interest in Italy and France. Antonio has always dedicated his attention to the small and artisanal producers that have culture and respect for the “terroir”.
Antonio is owner and founder of Tartaglione Fine Wines in San Francisco.
Schedule of events in the ENOGASTRONOMIA series:
Tasting Panel - Winter Bounty: Olio Nuovo, Funghi e Tartufi
Tuesday, January 11, 6.30 pm
A conversation on olive oil production cycle, mushrooms and truffles with food tastings.
Curated by Viola Buitoni
$20 general / $15 for IIC members
Lecture and tasting - Vitigni Recuperati: Italian Heirloom Wines
Monday, February 14, 6.30 pm
Start your Valentine’s night out with a tasting and conversation of rare heirloom Italian wines of limited production.
Curated by Antonio Tartaglione
$20 general / $15 for IIC members
Chat and taste - Delizie del Carnevale: Foods and Traditions of Italian Carnival.
Wednesday, March 2, 6.30 pm
A talk on the significance of Carnevale in the life of Italians, featuring a tasting of sweets typical of different cities throughout the country.
Curated by Viola Buitoni
$20 general / $15 for IIC members
Documentary and book presentation - Rabbits and Wrinkles: Cooking with Italian Grandmothers by Jessica Theroux.
Wednesday, April 13, 6.30 pm
Meet Berkeley author Jessica Theroux, who chronicled the year she spent in the kitchens of several Italian grandmothers in a short documentary and a book. Ms Theroux will share her work, answer questions about the making of her project and demo her favorite preparation. Books will be available for purchase and signed by the author and there will be a small food tasting.
Presented by Viola Buitoni;
Includes food demo and and tasting.
$20 general / $15 for IIC members
Book presentation - Beyond the Pasta: Language and Life with an Italian Family by Mark Leslie
Wednesday, May 18, 6.30 pm
Mark Leslie went to Italy to spend one year learning the language...instead he discovered friendship and food in the warmth of an Italian kitchen. Join him as he presents the journal of his adventures.
Presented by Viola Buitoni Includes food demo and tasting $20 general / $15 for IIC members Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 814
Montgomery St., San Francisco, www.iicsanfrancisco.esteri.it,
(415) 788-7142. Admission: $20 general / $15 for IIC members for each event (10% discount for a series of 3 evenings; 20% discount for a series of 4 or more).
Reservations and prepayment are mandatory. Maximum of 50 people per session.
RSVP to 415-788-7142 ext 18.
Cooking Classes
In addition to the above events, a series of three cooking classes entitled “La Cucina d’Inverno- Italian Winter Cooking” will take place at the Italian Consulate, located at 2151 Broadway St., San Francisco.
The classes are taught by private caterers Corrado Sani and Viola Buitoni, and will be held from 1 pm to 5 pm, on dates to be determined in the months of January and February.
Each class will focus on one of the three main areas of Italy (North, Center and South). In these hands on classes, students will be guided to easily integrate Italian regional cuisine and seasonal ingredients into every day uncomplicated cooking for family and friends. Cost is $140 for one class, $260 for 2 classes, or $360 for all three.
