Italy Journal
Friday, May 9, 2014
Day 7 Bra: Business in Cherasco
What a good day to do some tasty research for Peter’s new
Piedmont gastronomic tour business! We
stayed in lovely Cherasco (only 6 km from Bra) the entire morning, and by the end we had visited with
our Italian tutor friend Sara and her mother at Renata’s new B&B Antica
Magnolia in the middle of Cherasco, spent some valuable time with Mauro
Riccardi the passionate producer of very fine chocolates and dropped in on the
family at our favorite La Torre Restaurant to get information about bringing
the tour groups there for meals. It was a very productive and enjoyable day!
Antica Magnolia has a 2nd story veranda that
overlooks the main street of the small town of Cherasco on the front and the
ancient magnolia on the back. Sharing coffee and Salumi di Papa (the chocolate
nutty log of goodness in the shape of a salome that the pope at the time really
loved!), Renata and Sara spewed valuable suggestions about producers nearby
that Peter might want to visit in preparation for his tours. The B&B has
only been open a month, but Renata is running it with the Italian grace,
welcoming nature and attention to every person’s needs that is well-known in
Italian mothers. They had an interview with one of the new professors at the
University of Gastronomic Sciences after we left, and I’m sure the professor
found it the perfect place to call home while he is in that area. Thank you so
much, Renata and Sara, for sharing your vast information and welcoming us for a
visit at Antica Magnolia! What a beautiful B&B!
Mauro Riccardi is a fabulous, knowledgeable chocolate maker.
We knew him when we lived in Bra, and Peter had already decided that Mauro’s
chocolate shop would be the perfect place to learn about chocolates, with
delectable tastings while we’re there. We’re looking forward to taking Enzo
with us on those Chocolate Days, since Mauro prefers to speak Italian. We’re
looking forward to introducing our tour friends to you, Mauro. Grazie mille!
Mauro went with us to La Torre to arrange meals for the
groups. I have taken many guests to La Torre, and we are always pleased with
the food and staff.
We ended our wonderful day of tour research at Gagliardo’s
Vineyard in Barolo. Son Paolo gave us a masterful tour of the facility and
beautiful view of the surrounding vineyards. It was lovely! We’ll see you in
September, Paolo! Thank you,
You’ll see other random pictures. Enzo, you’ll notice that
one is just for Greta! Sara, do you recognize the artist’s floor picture you
told us about? Fascinating!
Ciao!
Colleen
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