That Fortezza da Basso is an extraordinary location for the organization of events is well known. The success of an event, however, is linked to the organization and to the content offered by the event itself. If the objective of Pitti Taste was to represent “taste” and to connect the players with the world of taste and gastronomy, well, I must say that my vote can only be a deserved and round “10”.
It was my first participation and, I must say, that initially it was not easy to decide how to organize a visiting route. In the end I let myself go and I let myself be guided by instinct and curiosity.
If I had to find a word to represent this participation of mine, I would use the word “flavor”. Then, the word “Italy”. Yes, because the opportunity to be able to come into contact in just one day with all the Italian excellences was a real privilege.
I discovered what it means to taste a tuna ventresca, light years away from the commercial products to which we are used. I delighted myself with cheeses capable of telling in a single bite an entire territory, just as it was pleasant to give in to the temptation of letting cured meats pass over my taste buds that you humans…
But once I reached saturation (of flavors, I mean), the interesting component of this event were the people, the producers. At every stand I encountered the pleasure of storytelling, the pride of presenting a product with the objective of making its quality, dedication and, if we want, uniqueness perceived. Sometimes also the madness, the one I encountered at the stand of “Le follie di Claudio Giusti”. Claudio is a winemaker who returned to the land and to his animals bringing into his work love, competence and a good dose of innovation. I tasted pigeon ham, bull sushi, gallo nero mortadella and a rocher of chicken livers with vin santo and sour cherry heart. All in one go.
I thought I had eaten everything, but I was wrong.
I thought I would “make a quick stop” and return to my university campus before lunch. I was wrong about that too. I stayed until late, full of flavors, experiences and satisfaction.
