This was the first thing I ate at the University of Gastronomic Sciences. It was Day One of our Masters course, when each new class is treated to a group lunch in the dining hall complete with flowing wine and, in our case, a very memorable panna cotta. The school cafeteria is fondly known as 'the mensa' - the Italian word for canteen. Once a Michelin-starred restaurant (which has since relocated to Alba), it's now home to lengthy communal dining tables and a glass-encased service station. At the entrance, there's a culinary wall of fame boasting portraits of the ... Read More >>
JOURNAL | Everyday I’m trufflin’
Alba is the capital of the white truffle. Unlike other types of truffles, the tartufo bianco can't be formally cultivated, with steep prices to match its scarcity and high demand. Come October and November, the northern Italian town - around 20 minutes from where I've been living while studying at the University of Gastronomic Sciences - is transformed into a truffle-obsessed hub with the annual Fiera del Tartufo. Thousands of visitors flock to town to visit the outdoor stalls peddling the pricey nuggets, each carefully encased in individual little dishes with ... Read More >>