Did you know that if you want to eat a different Italian recipe every day you need at least 12 years? This and so much more has been revealed to us by Davide, the founder od Insideat, a Roman food & wine hub. In this week’s #ExperienceOfTheWeek series we move to Rome, Italy, and try to learn more about the pizza classes, tiramisu workshops, and wine tastings in this vibrant city. And who should know more about all of this than Davide? Get your taste buds ready and join us.
Q1: Hi Davide, how are you doing? How is life in Italy these days?
Ciao a tutti! That’s the hottest period of the years and in Rome, everyone who is still working tries to balance the daily routine between the office and the beach! That’s what I’m doing, balancing my in-person classes with the online class and a bit of free time to enjoy the see.
Everything is slowing down, getting back to a sort of NEW and responsible normality. We are adapting to the circumstance life is bringing to us. Someone says that in order to live better we have to be water. I think we are all a little more water now.
Q2: Tell us more about Insideat. How did it all start and where did you take inspiration from?
Insideat is an Italian hub of Food and Wine. We work in the food industry at 360°. From Cooking Classes to Food Tours, from Food Team Building to private event and Wine Tasting. A plethora of food services.
Everything has started in my mind more than five years ago. I just returned from Germany after a couple of years working and experiencing different European cuisine. Back then, I was working as Chef de partie for Eataly, a big high-quality Italian restaurant chain. The place where I used to cook was this beautiful open kitchen and I remember lots of clients continuously asked me how to prepare the recipe I was serving to them. At that moment it instilled an idea in my mind. I wanted to share all my knowledge and finally get in direct contact with clients.
From that day I met lots of people and lots of things have happened. I found a great business partner and dreams, knowledge and vision finally blend together to give birth to the Insideat project!
Q3: Italian cuisine is very unique and I bet your team consists of some ultimate foodies. How many people do you have in your team? Are you all locals?
In the Insideat family, we are more than ten, between Chefs, guides, food & wine consultant, sommelier, food blogger, and trainees. We are all united by a deep love, and professional knowledge for food. Our team is more than local, all born and raised in Rome. However, we are proud to boost our collaboration with different international universities that collaborate with us and give the opportunity to bring international students to work with us! The best way to have a bigger picture of the tourism world.
Q4: Your selection of experiences includes some of the most known Italian specialties. What are the most popular food experiences among travelers who come to you?
We wanted to give our guests the best of our food culture but without being banal. In fact, every recipe or event you live with us has always a little secret in it. An astonishing ingredient, a little unknown gem, or uncommon variation. All our experiences have been designed and developed to meet the most diverse market and people’s needs.
From more easy-going and amateur guests who want to have lots of fun doing their food to the ones who really want to know every single detail of our cuisine. From walking lovers to wine lovers. If you love food you will be not disappointed. If I have to choose the most popular one I would say that our guests love to learn how to prepare Tiramisu and Ravioli. They’re going for that!
Q5: Interestingly, some of your food experiences are available also online. Is this something that you came up with when the pandemic hit?
As I mentioned in the beginning we do believe in the magnificent capacity of every human being to adapt to the circumstance and turn it into strengths. The online video class is simple, an almost natural evolution of our food experiences. People love Italian food, and they all want to learn how to prepare our world-famous recipes. So if they cannot go to the Italian food the Italian food will go to them. It is a new and different way to experience a private Chef at your home!
Q6: Last but not least, what are your favorite Italian food stops that you’d want your friends to try? (whatever city you prefer) Tips from a true local are always worth it 🙂
Well guys, I always love to remember this little thing, if you want to eat a different Italian recipe every day you need at least 12 years. There are more than 4700 recognized and certificated regional recipes. Where ever you will go you will find something completely new and different. From the highest mountains of Europe to the wonderful islands of the south, passing through hills, woods, lake, rivers there is no wrong place where to find good food. I would probably feel even little be guilty saying that some places are better than others I have still not experienced!
I’m Roman so I would never betray my cuisine which is mainly based on offal, basically all the rest of the good cuts of the meat. I would definitely say that once you’re are in Rome you should not have any doubt and try Tripes alla Romana, Animelle fritte, Coda alla Vaccinara, Nervetti, Pajata, Cervello fritto and many more!
Attention: Not suitable for sensitive stomachs!
Book some of the most popular experiences by Insideat here:
Eat Like a Local: Food & Wine Tour of Secret Roman Streets
1 Hour Pasta Class in Rome
Become a Roman Masterchef: Pasta, Ravioli and Tiramisù class
1 Hour Pizza Class in Rome