The Mayor's Recipe: The Mayors in the Kitchen Challenge
Piero Valdiserra - January 17, 2006
 Vincenzo Zacchiroli, mayor of Castel San Pietro Terme, in the province of Bologna, won the second Enogastronomy Challenge entitled "Il Piatto del Sindaco", or "The Mayor's Recipe", that took place on Sunday, January 15, 2006 in Forlì, on the occasion of the SAPEUR trade show.
The Castel San Pietro Terme administrator competed against the mayors from five nearby cities with the recipe Tortelloni Castellani in Crema di Zucca e Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena (Tortelloni [stuffed pasta] with Pumpkin and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena Sauce). Zacchiroli distributed a detailed handout describing the ingredients and the recipe, as well as the analysis of the caloric and nutritional values of his dish.
 The six contestants that faced off in this second annual competition are the mayors of Castel San Pietro Terme, Brisighella, Forlimpopoli, Piana degli Albanesi, Rocca San Casciano and Savignano sul Rubicone. Each mayor counted upon the help of one chef and other kitchen help, selected among the young students of Emilia Romagna culinary schools
The jury had to decide the tasting sequence based upon fragrance and flavors, as the dishes included five pasta recipes and just one main course:
- Risotto with Squacquerone (very soft cheese), scampi and rucola (Savignano sul Rubicone);
- Tortelloni (stuffed pasta) with Pumpkin and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena Sauce (Castel San Pietro Terme);
- Potato Tortelli (pasta stuffed with potatoes) (Rocca San Casciano);
- Pumpkin and Potato Gnocchetti (handmade pasta) on Pecorino di Fossa di Sogliano Cheese Fondue, with Pasta Sale and Pioppini (Forlimpopoli);
- Bucatini Pasta with Scialara (Piana degli Albanesi);
- Mora Romagnola (type of beef from Romagna) Lombetto (Flank Steak) on Misticanza with Little Moretti Artichoke, Caramelized Baby Green Onions from Romagna and Brisighello Olive Oil (Brisighella).
The jury was moderated by Carlo G. Valli, and included nine journalists and food experts, including the well known Italian singer, Paolo Mengoli. The evaluation took into account six different criteria:
- Recipe inspiration,
- Link to local traditions,
- Preparation – degree of difficulty,
- Quality of cooking,
- Flavor – gastronomic value,
- Presentation.
Luca Sardella, entertainer of the Italian national TV, conducted the event in front of a large crowd of spectators and 'fans' of the various mayors.
The challenge took place during the closing day of SAPEUR, the third Mostra Mercato Nazionale ed Internazionale Enogastronomica dei Prodotti Tipici ed Artigianali (National and International Trade Show and Market of the Typical and Artisan Products), held at Forlì Trade Center from January 13 to 15, 2006. The trade show presented 200 exhibitors and attracted 35,000 visitors.
Saturday, January 14, SAPEUR 2006 hosted the first cappelletto romagnolo vs tortellino bolognese, (two similar regional kind of stuffed pasta), prepared according to the ancient recipes recorded in the Middle Ages by Pellegrino Artusi. The traditional tortellino from Bologna won the contest by a small margin.
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