A quick report from yesterday night BAIA event at the Italian Cultural Center in San Francisco. For some reason, as a technical person I was a little bit downplaying this event, for no specific reason, just because it was about food and drinks. As soon as the panel started, I changed my mind. The quality of the speakers was so high and their personal stories were so interesting that I quickly got fully involved and totally excited.
Debbie Slutsky, a food and wine expert, was the event moderator. She did a great job in introducing the panelists and in setting the tone of the discussion. From Debbie I learn that a panel about food, and especially Italian food, has to run at a lower pace than a technical panel. When is about food, the word “slow”, as in "slow food" is a very good word.
Joyce Goldstein, a national icon of good food and Italian cuisine, told us about her “love” relationship with food and obviously with Italian food. She invited everybody to cook at least a couple of days a week in order to rediscover the pleasure of cooking, eating well and spending time together at the table.
Craig Stoll, the owner and chef of Delfina Restaurant in Mission, San Francisco, shared with us how he ended up opening a restaurant, and how his restaurant is more the expression of a dream than the implementation of a business plan. When you are a chef, sincerity matter.
Andy Griffin, a tall man with a strong voice, amused everybody with a short story of his life as a farmer. He owns the Mariquita Farms and is working every day to promote healthy food and healthy approach to life. Andy is a great speaker; he makes you feel like you are listening to a close friend.
Mike Denny, a brilliant entrepreneur, made us aware of the importance of efficient and effective service to connect restaurants and local producers of food and drinks. Thanks to Mike work, more and more restaurants have access to hi quality ingredients from small local produces all over the world. Mike company is American Wine Distributors, Inc.
I don’t want to forget to mention that at the event we had some great food and beer, provided by our sponsors and by some of the panelists. A special mention goes to the fantastic “salame”!
I would like to ear your opinion about this event. Feel free to post a comment on this blog!
Franco Folini
