cheese

The king of cheeses is ready for the spotlight.

The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, the governing body of the Italian cheese, has reportedly signed with United Talent Agency in order to pursue product placement opportunities in film and TV projects. According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the organization is looking to “introduce Parmigiano Reggiano to a wide pool of partners [and] further its message of gastronomical excellence and high quality ingredients, production and distribution.”

The formaggio faithful know that Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard cow’s milk cheese that can trace its origins back to the Middle Ages. Because it has protected designation of origin, only the cheese made in the Italian provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna and Mantua can legally be called Parmigiano Reggiano. (That’s why the common grated variety you may remember shaking out of a green container onto some spaghetti as a child is called Parmesan.)

According to its website, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium traces its roots back to the early 1900s when the chambers of commerce in Italian cities were looking to establish a way to authenticate the origin of the hard cheese produced in their region. The organization was formally established in 1928.

Among the association’s objectives is to “organize and take part in initiatives aimed at promoting ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ cheese, at enhancing its fame, image, reputation, circulation and consumption both in Italy and abroad.”

“Parmigiano Reggiano is not just a symbol of excellence rooted in tradition, but increasingly a truly iconic global brand,” Carmine Forbuso, Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium’s head of marketing, said to the Hollywood Reporter. “This partnership with UTA … allows us to connect with new audiences in an authentic and relevant way. With just three natural ingredients and centuries of artisanal know-how, Parmigiano Reggiano stands for simplicity, quality and depth and we’re excited to explore new formats and platforms to express this story globally.”

So move over, pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano is looking for a new kind of pairing. Netflix and night cheese, perhaps?

“If you showed a pizzaiolo what I was doing, they would say it’s all wrong,” says Fiorelli. “Wrong flour, wrong temp. But we do it that way because we like the way it tastes.”

Fiorelli and business parter Liz Gutierrez opened a pizzeria out of a teensy Beverly Grove storefront in early November. Before that, they were making pizzas with a mobile oven at Cook’s Garden in Venice. Fiorelli’s crust has the structure of a New York pizza, with just enough crunch, and an interior with the supple softness of a traditional Neapolitan. He brushes the crust with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkles on sea salt just before the pizza goes into the oven, ensuring that each slice is well seasoned through the last bite. Crushed Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes and sea salt constitute his red sauce, for a base that’s flavorful but not overly acidic. He covers the tomatoes in leaves of Brussels sprouts and hot cherry peppers on one pie, or there’s the classic pepperoni or supreme. The Bianco deserves special praise, with a symphony of four cheeses, roasted garlic, fingerling potatoes, fresh lemon and guandilla peppers. Bite the tip of a pepper, drizzle the juice on a slice and enjoy.

Halloween is over and Bonfire Night has been and gone so there’s only one thing helping us all through the cold, dark winter – and that’s the thought of Christmas.

Sparkling lights, cosy pubs, nights out with friends and family – it’s all to look forward to in the run up to the festive season.

However, I have to admit the thought of being packed into hot and sweaty pubs with hundreds of other people, all equally as full of Christmas cheer is starting to lose its shine somewhat.

And with that in mind, I’ve found the perfect festive fun for an alternative night out filled with all the cosy and candlelit feels which will also give you a rare moment of tranquility and peace amongst all the present buying and Christmas menu planning.

Skuna Boats, based in Canary Wharf in east London and Bristol, offers a night out with a difference. Instead of fighting your way to the bar while Last Christmas blares out for the 895th time, you could be floating serenely around the docks in Canary Wharf in your own, private igloo.

Lit by (fake) candlelit – let’s be sensible people we don’t want any fire hazards here – and decorated like an alpine dream, each Skuna igloo boat comes with the option of either cheese or chocolate fondue with you able to pre-order your drinks from the bar.

We gave it a whirl and it was a cosy lovers dream. The experience starts with a leisurely meal – we opted for cheese fondue, which came with delicious garlic potatoes, loads of bread, crudites and meats and was absolutely fantastic. One of the best things is the igloos all come with their own smart speaker so you can pick your own playlist – no tired and old festive tunes for us.

Then, your own personal driver takes you around Canary Wharf while you chat, drink, finish off the delicious fondue and gaze in amazement at the glittering lights of the sky scrappers as you calmly float past.

Once docked back at the pontoon, you’re given more time to happily soak in your surroundings while chatting, drinking and giggling with your friends in candle-lit gorgeousness. It really felt like something out of a fairy tale and when we all hopped out of our igloo at the end of the experience, we felt refreshed, cosy and ready for the festive season.

If you’re looking for a festive night out with a difference, run don’t walk to book your igloo boat now.

The Alpine Feast igloo boat experience starts at £49 per person.