Let the countdown begin…

We are just about one month away from our European vacation!

Italy’s “Food Valley” is overwhelming in its bounty. It is the land of fast cars, slow food, and iconic ingredients.

Everything in this region serves as a rich reminder that good things come to those who wait: from slow-simmered Bolognese to deep, sparkling Lambrusco to legendary Parma ham (not to mention Parma-esan cheese) and the bracing, sweet aged balsamic vinegar of Modena. The people of this region display an enduring commitment to craft, and the patience to produce the building blocks of one of the world’s most iconic cuisines. It’s no wonder that Emilia-Romagna is home to 26 ingredients with geographically protected status.

We’ll find ample art and history to keep us entertained between meals, from bustling markets to sparkling mosaics and ancient churches. We are trying to practice some patience ourselves, but as we are in the final stages of planning tastings and excursions, we just can’t wait to host you in Emilia-Romagna!

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Accommodations

We’ll be staying in the Emilian countryside at Roncolo 1888.

The borgo is surrounded by 130 acres of organically cultivated land. Our home-away-from-home will offer us the perfect space to gather, dine, and drink Italian wine together on the terrace. There may even be a few surprises in store as we explore the grounds…

Packing List

September in Northern Italy can come with somewhat unpredictable weather. Plan for warm sunny days, cool nights, a chance of rain — a little bit of anything! We’ll be spending time outside on excursions during the day, traveling down cobblestone streets and vineyard rows. Packable layers and comfortable walking shoes will be your best friends; just like at our Suppers, high heels are not recommended.

Don’t worry, the sartorially inclined will have a chance to show off in the evenings. We’ll have a few more formal dinner experiences throughout the week. If you have an outfit you’ve been waiting for an occasion to wear, this is your opportunity!

We will offer a chance to return to Roncolo to freshen up and change between experiences each day.

Reading List

Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy Season 1, Episode 3

This episode follows Stanley Tucci through a food tour of Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region, exploring how the agricultural history of the region has shaped its foodways. If you would like to dive into the details of every stop he makes, this blog post breaks down the episode.

Chef’s Table: Massimo Bottura Season 1, Episode 1 [Netflix]

Massimo Bottura put Italian food on the world stage with his modernist twists on regional classics. This was met with initial disdain but eventually earned his restaurant, Francescana, a spot as No. 1 on the World’s Best List. Read more about Bottura’s episode on Eater.

Lynne Rossetto Kasper's The Splendid Table

This is the seminal book about Northern Italian cooking and was the first book to win James Beard and Julie Child Cookbook of the Year awards. It was also the namesake for a great food podcast originally hosted by Kasper, now hosted by Francis Lam.

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See you in Italy soon!