PETROGNANO-SEMIFONTE, TUSCANY— My mother used to speak disparagingly of grown men who kept changing careers later in life. Even as a kid, I never agreed with that. It seemed— and still seems— to me that, when it comes to an occupation, one should do whatever makes one feel happy, fulfilled, and successful. I have been blessed to have worked in the same career for over 40 years. I love the restaurant business. I never plan to retire and could never see myself doing anything else for my primary vocation.
Though, I
have learned that careers sometimes gain momentum and pick up additional occupations
along the way. In addition to the restaurant business, I ended up writing
books, producing television programs, founding a non-profit, and most recently have
delved into documentary film production, the first of which will be released in
a few weeks. I also lead tours in Europe.
None of these
secondary careers have been planned. The tour thing happened when my friend, watercolorist
Wyatt Waters, and I were on a promotional book tour with a coffee table
cookbook we wrote based on our travels in Italy. People who had followed our
journey in Italy kept saying, “I wish you’d take me over there to go to those
restaurants you wrote about.” Or “I’d love to travel with you to see those
places you painted.” At first, we thought it was just people making small talk
while we signed their books. Though we kept hearing the same statements. One
day I called Waters and said, “I think people want us to take them to Italy.” I
made one Facebook post, and— five years, and over 300 travelers later— I have
ended up in a career I never planned but love just as much as the restaurant
business.
In non-Covid
times I spend a little over two months a year working in Europe leading tours. In
March of 2020 we were all set to go to Spain. The most amazing part of the
Spain trip was that most of the people were going to be traveling with us for
the third or fourth time. After Spain I was scheduled to lead four tours in
Tuscany, and in the fall another Rome/Amalfi/Naples tour and then more Tuscany
tours. Covid had different plans.
I should
be writing this column from the Amalfi coast where I would be leading 25 guests
around one of the most beautiful places on the planet. But Covid apprehensions
and the delta variant gave many of our travelers cause for concern when it
comes to overseas travel. I most certainly respect that. So, for safeties sake
and for the peace of mind of our guests, I rescheduled all groups for 2022 and
look forward to finally getting to travel with them. I have also added new
dates because there is a waiting list of hopeful travelers which has grown very
long during Covid.
Waters has
retired from overseas touring and is focusing on a new book. I, however, have
grown to love turning people onto all the people and places I have discovered
over the past decade in Europe, and plan to do this— with my wife Jill by my
side— for as long as people want to travel with us.
So, after having
to reschedule the 2021 fall tours, and since I had already blacked out the
dates on my work schedule back home, I decided to grab Jill and head over to
Tuscany to search out new site, places, restaurants, wineries, and experiences
for our future groups to enjoy, as now we have begun to create tours for those
who have already been with me to Tuscany and want to return. I call it Tuscany
2.0.
Without
question, the absolute best— and most unexpected— part about leading tours in
Italy has been the friendships I have made. I knew I would like turning people
on to the places I had discovered over the years, but I never knew that I would
make such meaningful friendships doing it— friends who travel with us from the
United States, but also friends here in Italy.
I write
this column from the villa I have been frequenting for over a decade. I am
currently feeling extremely grateful for the Italian friends I have made over
the years. I turned 50 years old in this villa. Last night I celebrated my 60th
year in this villa. That was nice, but the icing on the tiramisu was that I
spent a wonderful dinner seated at a table with so many of my Italian friends.
It was a
collection of the Europeans I love most. Annagloria and Enzo, the owners of the
villa were there, along with Marina and her boyfriend, Marco. Our friends
Barbara and Alberto drove down from Milan, and our friend Jesse took the train
up from Rome. The dinner table sat 16, and two of the best Italian home cooks I
know, Nadia and Rosanna prepared a six-course meal filled with all my local favorites.
Annagloria and Enzo’s daughters, Gemma and Bianca helped serve.
In the
middle of dinner, I pushed away from the table and took in the scene. Marco and
his wife Christina who make the best pecorino I have ever tasted, at their sheep
farm down the road, came bearing a five-pound wedge of aged pecorino. Massimo
and Cecilia, owners of a fine restaurant in town where our guests learn to make
ravioli, brought wine. Paolo who owns one of our favorite local restaurants
arrived late after working the dinner shift. Toby and Susanna, from the local
bakery I visit every morning, brought a beautiful birthday cake made from a
Napoleon shaped in the numbers six and zero, and husband and wife tour guides Ricardo
and Cindy drove down from Florence. It was one of the most memorable and
meaningful dinners I have ever experienced.
After
dinner, a band Marina and Annagloria booked performed in the lower room of the
tower. It’s a band I first heard over 10 years ago during my first visit, and the
one that made me realize that Mississippi truly is the birthplace of America’s
music.
Last week,
before we left for Italy, my wife arranged an early 60th birthday dinner
with some of our closest friends back home. To be lucky enough to also share a birthday
meal with our Italian friends feels like an embarrassment of blessings.
It took me
a while to learn about the things in life that truly matter. For years I valued
the material and monetary things most. Eventually, I learned that the things
that truly matter in life are the spiritual and relational things. Faith,
family, friends, food, and fun is where I find happiness and joy these days.
After
dinner, I told my wife that I believe I am entering what will be my best
decade. I plan to spend it with friends I will meet in upcoming tours, and
friends I have known since kindergarten, friends who I have made overseas, and
friends from all around Mississippi and the United States.
Onward.
Rosanna’s Tiramisu
4 each Large egg yolks
6 TB Sugar
1 cup Heavy whipping cream, cold
1 TB Marsala wine
1 lb. Mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
2 each 8 oz. boxes highest quality lady fingers, preferably Pavesini brand
2 cups Strong brewed coffee, cooled
¼ lb. Bittersweet chocolate, chopped, divided into thirds
Unsweetened cocoa powder as needed.
Combine the egg yolks and sugar in the chilled bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat on high until pale yellow and doubled in size. Add the whipping cream and continue beating on high until soft peaks begin to form, about 3-4 minutes. Add the softened mascarpone and Marsala and continue whipping on high speed until stiff peaks are formed, about 5-6 minutes.
To build the tiramisu, spread a very thin layer of the cream mixture across the bottom of a 9” x 11” clear casserole dish, just to help keep the first layer of lady fingers still. Divide the remaining cream mixture into thirds.
Briefly dip each lady finger in the coffee and cover the bottom of the casserole dish. Follow with a layer of the cream mixture and the chopped chocolate. Repeat this process until you finish the cream mixture. Sprinkle the top with the cocoa powder and the remaining chocolate.
Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.
3 comments:
I had a Whopper, all meat, a Bud light and played a Willie Nelson CD for my Birthday.
I observed my Birthday home alone during the "15 days to slow the spread" when I kept my Dukes mayo and Grey Poupon in the freezer. Talk about murdering white bread with a butter knife. That sucked.
Even if I could afford a month long vacation in Tuscany, I would rather hang with the folks on an "up river" sand bar.
And yes. I can mingle with the local Country Club crowds ... (if I have to) .
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