New! Italian Food Blogs.

I had almost lost hope for Italian food blogs. For more than a year now, the number of enjoyable food blogs in Italy could be counted on the fingers of a hand... of a clumsy one eyed lumberjack. My own decision to post in English came mainly from the hope to communicate and get in touch with people around the world, yet a part of it also came from the less than encouraging situation of food blogs in Italy.  Had it not been for Ronald and Katia's Via Ritiro no.7 Diary and Carlo's My latest supper, both in English, I would have felt rally alone.

And then, low and behold! In the past few weeks Italy seems to have woken up and finally discovered food blogs; the number of new ones joining the few existing a few month's ago has dramatically increased. Suddenly the Italian blogsphere has become much more interesting for anyone interested in food. (Note, all of the blogs mentioned below are in Italian... I did warn you!)

Most of the blogs following in the steps of pioneers like troppobuono and gli onesti piaceri have been a very pleasant discovery, and range all over the food blog spectrum.  Gustoblog, for example, is a handy resource, announcing events throughout Italy and keeping an eye to the latest food, wine and kitchen trends. They recently started a series of interviews with food bloggers, in both Italian and English: the very first one starts Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks. Cavoletto di Bruxelles (i.e. Brussel's sprout), as the name tips off, is written by Sigrid, a Belgian living in Italy; it is definitely the most graphically pleasing of the bunch thanks to its simple and elegant layout, great pictures, plus it continously tickles my appetite with seriously mouthwatering recipes.

When I feel like reading a few musings about food and gastronomy I get plenty of chances from blogs like Pecoranerablog, the last addition to the roma nel piatto (an independent guide to dining in Rome) website, and Di Vino e Cibo, after all we Italians love to discuss about food, and our blogs make no difference. The re-launched Gastronomo Riluttnate, by my friend Muccapazza, deserves a special mention: it is a smart and strongly opinionated blog, if there ever was one and among the first ones I look at every day. Likely Peperosso written by Massimo Bernardi: a sarcastic, intelligent and polemic blog that has a go at the Italian food's world establishment. It tries a bit too hard at times, but definitely worth following. (Plus, he spend very kind words about this blog, how not to like him?)

Blogs also seem an irresistible temptation for a few food celebrities, maybe a sign of how trendy this means of communication has become in Italy. I'm not particularly taken away by this kind of blogs since there is always the risk of them becoming a self promoting spiel, yet a few are worth at least a mention. One of the longest standing is the graphically minimalist (i.e. in serious need of a graphical makeover) Papero Giallo, the blog of Stefano Bonilli, co-editor in chief of Italy's foremost food and wine magazine, Gambero Rosso. At times a very interesting blog , especially if you're interested in Italian gastronomy, the posts can be  a bit obscure to those unaware of Italian food press relations and gossip.  Also mention-worthy is Carla Latini's (of Latini artisanal pasta) Il Retrocucina. Rumors suggest these are not the last ones: other celebrities want to join the fun.

Last but not least my latest disocvery, Kitchenstories, the tales and thoughts of a young passionate chef, a real blog from the restaurant kitchen... nice stories, and with a few more gruesome details it could become an Italian Kitchen Confidential ;-).

Comments

[ulteriorepicure]

il forno.

what do you think of giada delaurentiis?

u.e.

[cat]

have a look at "rubber slippers in italy"

[savina]

thanks alberto for the tip!

[Alberto]

savina, you're welcome.

cat, thanks for the tip. Another blog added to the Italy blogs list.

ulteriorepicure, I have to admit I only know Gaia De Laurentis from what I read in the news, but then it would be hard to find anyone knowing who she is (or also who Mario Batali is) here in Europe and even more so in Italy. Therefore I cannot really comment on her. From the recipes I've seen on the food network website I'd say her cooking is Italian inspired, in some cases it even sticks pretty close to tradition, yet it is not Italian food.

[Laura]

Thank you very much, Alberto. I hope your interview will be very soon on our pages ;)

[happycook]

Well thank u even for the comparison with Bourdain's iedeas. will wright soon of salame di varzi and felino

[Madhulika AT Jaya Teas]

Give them time. Afterall, they are busy cooking such delicious food! :-)

[muccapazza28]

Sarò pure rustica nel lasciare un commento scritto in Italiano ma a quest'ora non pretenderai che metta le mani al mio corso d'inglese della DeAgostini vero?!
Volevo ringraziarti per la citazione, mi fa piacere che il tuo risveglio sia accompagnato dal mio muggito: "Muuuuuuuuu"

Ciao Ciao Ciccini Riluttanti.

Crazycow28

[liloniadriano]

crazycow the incredible blogger is like god he is in every time every place without past and future.....the higlander of the young italian chefs..... :-))

[Alberto]

ciao trogolo, bello legegrti da queste parti ;-)

[Joe]

I love Italian food and have been addicted since I inherited a Italian brother-in-law. The home made wines and sausage. Just love how they sit at the table after supper is done and continue to talk and pick away at the food till its all gone. My brother-in-law has 3 restaurants in Edmonoton AB.( Franco's) and he has a Italian family that supplies him with home made sausage which is a recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation. They have a hard time to keep up with the demand, if I want to buy some to take home with me I need to give them 3 weeks noitice and even then I'm not quarateed any sausage. I have attended 4 Italian wedding and that is a experience in it's self, absoulutley incrediable. Make sure you don't eat for a day or two before you go and sleep two days extra just so you can keep up with the rest of the party.

I am about to retire in a few years and have started the search for all kinds of good restaurant suggestions and comments from people thru my blog site. Italian Restaurants have to be one of favorite places and hope I can have a list of all kinds from all over the world by the time I'm ready to travel. I'm actually hoping to have my brother-in-law join us in our travel to Italy, he not only has relatives their but can speak the language which will be awesome. But if you or anyone can help with any suggestions or comments on other places in the world I welcome them--thanks for your time.