A Peek Into Our First Gourmet Dinner

Our meal started around 9pm, but the preparation began hours earlier.  We had been hearing about the infamous Gourmet Dinners since our first day on campus.  Some of us have actually been aware of these dinners even before we arrived in Italy, because of students who have gone through the program in the past.

A few hours before the bus drove us to Hotel Fior, a hotel located in Castelfranco which is about twenty minutes away from campus, the founder of the CIMBA program, Dr. Al Ringelab, held an etiquette seminar.  We walked in around 6pm, dressed in a mix of sweats and dress clothes.  We picked up a packet with 35 questions.  All. About. Etiquette.  We were told to answer all the questions before the seminar started, as a way to test ourselves on how much we knew about etiquette.

* Fun Fact: I knew a whole lot of nothing.  Eating with my left hand?  The only thing my left hand can do is hold a glass of wine.  Speaking of wine, did anyone else know you’re not supposed to hold the bulb?  It’s all about the stem, people.  It’s all about the stem.

We sat through an hour of basic European etiquette.  I was shocked to learn how inappropriate it is to bring your cocktail glass to dinner.  I do that all the time at home. Or maybe I just see people do it in the movies…?  Let’s be real, I’ve never even been to a cocktail party. Others couldn’t stop laughing over Dr. Al’s impression of people with “disgusting” manners.  We were released a little after 7pm and most of the girls still needed to change into their outfits and do their hair, so there was a bit of panic in the air.

The bus ride from campus to the hotel was spent thinking about the etiquette seminar. We were told to simply “taste” during the antipasta portion of the evening.  Dr. Al had warned us there were four courses after the appetizers, so it was in our best interest to eat slowly and taste thoughtfully.

We walked into Hotel Fior on a red carpet (CIMBA celebs) and were directed to the basement.  After waiting in the coat check line for what felt like hours, we walked into a long room full of tables filled with hams, fish, meatballs, cheeses, and quiche, among many other savory dishes.  I never really knew what I was eating, but I loved everything (except the fried fish- I think I accidentally ate the tail).

Many students acted with caution as they went through the line (myself included), doing their best to rise to the formal occasion.  I kept reminding myself to hold my glass in my left hand.  We were standing the entire first hour and we had been told it was never okay to eat with your hands, so essentially, you had to hold your plate in one hand and your fork in the other.  This made it impossible to eat and drink at the same time, which was a new and mildly irritating concept.

It was really fun to see everyone dressed so nicely.  iPhones and Droids were constantly being pulled out of pockets and purses, everyone doing their best to document the night. As the announcement for dinner was spread throughout the group, my friends and I made our way to a table in the back of the room.  Some of us were more etiquette-ed (get it, like educated?) than others. Conversation flowed as white wine was poured around the table.  We read over the menu, even though a few of us had already learned what would be served earlier in the day, a perk of our Travel Writing class.

The risotto alla Verdi matecato ala burro e parmigiano was brought out first.  The waiter plopped two scoops of what looked like green rice and peas on each student’s plate.  A few of us were disappointed by the appearance.  However, once we picked up our forks (the one furthest away from the plate), I realized how happy I was to have been given two heaping scoops.

Another bottle of white wine was brought out to go along with the next course, fiocchetti di pasta con pere e taleggio al burro e noci.  English translation: pasta with cheese, pears, and walnuts.  I was a little alarmed only three small bites of pasta were served.  But, after I bit into the first bite, I understood why. It was very rich and sweet.  The walnuts added some crunch to the soft pasta and the pears provided an unexpected sweetness that actually complemented the cheese wonderfully.  Not ashamed that I said “si” to seconds.

Petto di faraona con salsa al rosmarino, or guineafowl with a rosemary sauce was served, along with seasoned veggies.  Now, it was time for the red wine to be poured.  I put my newfound knowledge to the test.  Slowly, I picked up my knife in my right hand.  My left hand followed suit, picking up my fork.  At first, it was uncomfortable.  I had never eaten so properly before!  But, after some help from my friend, Blair, I began cutting my guineafowl like an Italian. Hashtag proud.

I really enjoyed how the meal was spread out.  It was timed perfectly.  We never felt rushed or felt full and by the time the next plate came, everyone was hungry again. Meringata alla frutta was served as the dessert plate, along with an amazing bottle of white wine that literally tasted like candy.  The meringue was cut into large, pie shaped pieces.  It was whipped and white, with darker layers of fruit in between.  The texture was creamy and crunchy.

Towards the end of the night, we took a lot of pictures (and my phone was hijacked and filled with 47 selfies), searching for a way to remember this special Italian meal.  I sipped on my espresso and was caught up in conversation with my friends who have already become like family.  The night wrapped up around midnight.  During dinner, I found myself wishing we ate this way at home.  It was so nice to talk for hours over good wine and amazing food.  I’m already excited for our second gourmet dinner, but I wish time would slow down!