Context brings the brightest minds to your living room with perspective-shifting online lectures.

Milan and Food Traditions: A Culinary Love Story with Laura Benitti

Milan and Food Traditions: A Culinary Love Story with Laura Benitti


No events are scheduled at this time. Want to be notified when it’s back? Click the blue button to the right and we’ll notify you.

Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

No matter where you are in the world, food and culinary traditions reveal a story. In this seminar, we will take a trip back in time: we’ll follow the monks and farmers who worked the fields around Milan and we’ll sit at the table at Sforza Castle with the Renaissance Dukes of Milan. Through these introductions we will begin to understand the reasons for many modern recipes and culinary specialties.
Gastronomy has always played an integral role in the culture and identity of Lombardy in Northern Italy. The area is rife with both fertile territories and cold winters: over the centuries, farmers and monks have developed increased cultivation skills to deal with the climate. From the cultivation of rice introduced by Milanese Dukes in the late 15th century to the abundance of year-round cured meats, especially pork, we will begin to better understand the Milanese food story. We’ll learn stories and legends related to famous recipes such as 'risotto alla milanese', Milanese cutlet and tiramisù, and discover. We’ll even discuss Leonardo da Vinci’s role in Milan’s culinary scene. (Hint: ovens).
In the latter part of our seminar, we will talk about restaurants and deli shops in Milan today, from Peck to Savini or the restaurant Boeucc. Led by an expert on art and local history, Laura Benitti, this interactive seminar will be dedicated to the history of food and local specialties. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased knowledge and curiosity about the culinary traditions of Northern Italy.

Laura was born in Turin, where she studied history of art, but moved to Milan in 2002. Since her graduation, she has accumulated a long experience as an art consultant and registrar in a few museums in Turin, as well as expertise as a local Milan guide. She loves to be both an experienced and friendly local ambassador of Milan and Como area for her travelers.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 10 reviews
80%
(8)
0%
(0)
10%
(1)
0%
(0)
10%
(1)
M
Melinda (Oakville, CA)
Great quick and understandable guide to traditional Milanese food

This was a good broad based overview of the primary food traditions in Milan. It was easy to understand and helpful for someone visiting Milan and gave me a number of practical tips for what foods to look for. Good history and well researched.

P
Pam O'Connor (Kalamazoo, US)

Laura once again delivered a delicious mixture of history and food!

L
L.M. (East Orange, US)

A fascinating mix of food and wine with geography, history, folk tales, and culture.

M
Marianne Rutter (Amesbury, US)

If you like history, food and Italian culture, this conversation blends all three in a very satisfying and engaging way.

A
Anonymous

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 10 reviews
80%
(8)
0%
(0)
10%
(1)
0%
(0)
10%
(1)
M
Melinda (Oakville, CA)
Great quick and understandable guide to traditional Milanese food

This was a good broad based overview of the primary food traditions in Milan. It was easy to understand and helpful for someone visiting Milan and gave me a number of practical tips for what foods to look for. Good history and well researched.

P
Pam O'Connor (Kalamazoo, US)

Laura once again delivered a delicious mixture of history and food!

L
L.M. (East Orange, US)

A fascinating mix of food and wine with geography, history, folk tales, and culture.

M
Marianne Rutter (Amesbury, US)

If you like history, food and Italian culture, this conversation blends all three in a very satisfying and engaging way.

A
Anonymous

Guest did not leave comment