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Truffle Lover's Tour of Italy with Francine Segan
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Italy is home to delicious white and black truffles, the best in Europe. Together we will explore the countryside's many fascinating truffle festivals – including the world-renowned Truffle Fair in Alba. This mushroom grows freely under the Tuscan soil and chefs across Italy search with as much zeal as they would for a flawless diamond. Our discussion will center upon learning to hunt truffles with the help of canines, and provide a narrative timeline of its uses throughout history as it became an increasingly popular global export.
Participants in our conversation will learn about the visceral experience of a truffle hunt and how to easily join one on their next visit to Italy. Together we will take a deep dive into truffle hunting's history and debunk myths originating from the Ancient Romans that remain prevalent across the industry today. At our presentation's conclusion, we'll review which cities curious travelers should prioritize in order to experience first-hand the delights of this special food. There will be time available for Q&A as well.
Led by an expert on Italian food history, Francine Segan, this Conversation will provide participants with a fresh perspective of Italian travel – with keeping an eye on the country's many wonderful truffle events that recur each year. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased knowledge of the history of white and black truffles that have sparked exciting adventures and epic meals across Italy for centuries.
Francine Segan is a renowned food historian and James Beard-nominated author of six books. She is a regular on TV, appearing frequently on the Food Network, PBS, Discovery, and History Channels. Francine's articles have appeared in Saveur, Epicurious, Vogue, and Fine Cooking Magazine and she is an often-featured expert in newspapers including the Wall St Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times. She lectures across the USA at such prestigious venues as the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, Smithsonian Museum in DC, Virginia Fine Arts Museum, and 92nd St Y, NYC's premiere cultural center.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
This was my first seminar with Francine and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her talk was extremely well organized and her visuals were excellent. I hope to enroll in some of her future seminars.
Excellent seminar. Her joy is contagious and I was ready to sit down with her and eat the earth around the just discovered truffle, while my mouth watered in the distance. Very enjoyable, thank you!
Comprehensive information about the different areas of Italy where truffles are found.