travel

Searching for Italy episode 6 – Sicily: Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest island and is known as God’s Kitchen because of its rich volcanic soil. But it’s also said to be home to the ‘Gates of Hell’. Impoverished for centuries, conquered by just about everybody and haunted by its mafia connections, Sicilians have learned to make do with what they have.     Alternative stream   Michelin starred chef Tony Lo Coco shows Stanley his signature dish, spaghetti alla bottarga. Stanley then heads to Southern Sicily and meets artisanal winemaker Arianna Occhipinti and tries the grapes grown in the region’s

Searching for Italy episode 5 – Tuscany: Tuscany is the birthplace of the Renaissance and world-class art, architecture and culture. It’s also produced some of the finest wines and dishes in the history of Italian cuisine. But Tuscany is also home to the cuisine of poor Tuscan peasantry, known as “cucina povera”.     Alternative stream   Stanley Tucci starts his exploration of Tuscany with his parents Stan and Joan. He then meets chef and restaurateur Fabio Picchi who shows him Tuscany’s signature dish, the magnificent bistecca alla fiorentina. Renaissance scholar Elisabetta Di Giugno takes Stanley on a wine bar

Searching for Italy episode 4 – Milan. Milan is the capital of Lombardy. It’s Italy’s second biggest city and the business powerhouse. Stanley’s first stop is the Duomo, the largest cathedral in Italy, where he meets Italian journalist Beppe Severgnini. Beppe explains the Milanese eat food for work, but in recent years Milan has become a culinary mecca. Milan is also the home of the aperitivo – a post-work drink served with a light snack. Stanley goes for aperitivo with social media star Tess Masazza, and afterwards they head to one of the city’s secret underground bars.     Alternative

Searching for Italy episode 3 – Bologna: Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna, home to the highest number of protected food products in the whole of Italy, known as DOP’s. These products are globally renowned, strictly regulated and of exceptional quality – parmigiano, proscuitto de parma and traditional balsamic vinegar to name but a few.     Alternative stream   Massimo Bottura, one of the world’s best chefs, hails from the region. He drives Stanley to a premium parmigiano producer where they break open a fresh wheel – it smells heavenly and sends the taste buds singing. Stanley meets Mattia

Searching for Italy episode 2 – Rome: Situated in Lazio, the ancient city of Rome is often overlooked in the gastronomic department. Stanley Tucci meets up with an old friend Claudia della Frattina, and they head to a little restaurant to order rigatoni all’amatriciana, one of the famous four Roman pastas. His guide is chef, DJ and food historian Daniele De Michele, also known as Don Pasta, and together they sample carbonara in the working class neighbourhood of San Lorenzo.     Alternative stream   Stanley tries a selection of beautiful cheeses and pork sausages made from the sheep and

Searching for Italy episode 1 – Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci travels across Italy to discover the secrets and delights of the country’s regional cuisines. Tucci comes prepared with a bottomless appetite for it all, showing us how the diversity of Italian cooking offers a gateway through which you can glimpse Italy’s history and culture.     Alternative stream   Naples is the third-largest city in Italy, but its history and beauty has been tainted with underdog status from close association with Vesuvius – the world’s most dangerous volcano, the Camorra – a notorious branch of the local mafia –