19 September 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Rome, headed by Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., headed to Forlimpopoli on September 12 for an immersion in the best of Italian culture.

This cultural immersion and integration activity was spearheaded by the Ambassador and joined in by some Embassy staff including Ms. LorleeJane Mandi, Ms. Anginel Padilla-Conchas, Ms. Aubrey Abarintos and the Ambassador’s sister, former UP College of Mass Communications Dean Professor Georgina R. Encanto.

The group was formally introduced to the culture of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly to the small town of Forlimpopoli, which proudly houses the world-famous culinary art school, Casa Artusi, where Chef Margarita Fores also perfected her knowledge in Italian cuisine. Chef Fores has been awarded the Marieta Prize for excellence in cooking. Dedicated to the science in the kitchen and the art of eating well, this first-ever center of gastronomic culture has been open since 2007. Its focus is on Italian home cooking in honor of the illustrious Pellegrino Artusi, originally from Forlimpopoli and the father of Italian food.

The group was well-attended and generously assisted by the school’s directress, Ms. Susy Patrito Silva, who toured the group in the small city where, earlier that day, local farmers and vendors crowded the main square with variety of fresh and locally grown vegetables, mouth-watering ham and cheese and other treats that could only be found in the region of Emilia-Romagna.

Prior to the lesson, the group was given a quick tour inside the main library of Casa Artusi, which houses 450,000 volume of books, that is, ten times the number of inhabitants in Forlimpopoli. The library, aside from the Civic Library of Forlimpopoli, has Artusi's Collection, the Collection of Italian Gastronomy and remarkably the famous book of Pellegrino Artusi, “La Scienza in Cucina e l’Arte di Mangiar Bene” (Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well). The book is vastly known in Italy, particularly among the signore, old ladies, mothers and wives, because the said book contains a collection of 790 homemade recipes and serves as a must-read book (and even considered a special wedding gift to the bride) among the locals.

To complete the cultural immersion in Forlimpopoli, the group was given a hands-on lesson in sfoglia (pasta dough) and risotto-making. Chef Carla along with Directress Susy introduced the group first to the history of Italian pasta and information on different types of ingredients needed. The kitchen was fully-equipped and each was given a working station where different types of pasta were prepared. The Ambassador prepared some tagliatelle, pappardelle, taglioni and garganelli, to name a few. In addition, the group was also introduced to risotto-making, another traditional Italian recipe, where familiarization with different ingredients and cooking technique and tips were generously shared by Chef Carla.

Finally, the group was treated to a sumptuous late lunch, where they ate what they prepared, risotto con funghi porcini and tagliatelle all’uso di Romagna. They also offered some vino della casa (housewine) and a typical Italian sorbetto ai limoni dessert.

Truly, it’s a place where the taste of culture meets the culture of taste. And, as far as cultural immersion is concerned, no doubt Casa Artusi embodies not only traditional Italian cooking but also a beautiful country that is Italy. END