Satopia Designs A Culinary Journey With A Side Order Of Social Advocacy
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Chef Massimo Bottura in the kitchen.
It’s truffle season in Modena in November. If you have $18,000 or so lying around doing nothing, you can join Chef Massimo Bottura on an immersive tour of the Italian city. Dine at his celebrated restaurants, including Osteria Francescana, which has three Michelin stars. Go truffle hunting, then have your own haul turned into a delightful meal.
Satopia Travel, which is organizing the event, specializes in experiences for foodies. Bottura’s adventure is called A Culinary Journey Towards Social Inclusion. That’s because Bottura, who has been listed among the world’s best chefs, is recognized for his advocacy in reducing food waste, promoting sustainable food systems, and protecting the environment.
Besides Francescana, Bottura operates Franceschetta58, a contemporary bistro that specializes in cooking with local ingredients. He also opened Cavallino in partnership with Ferrari and architect and designer India Mahdavi.
Guests are staying at Bottura’s boutique hotel in Modena, Casa Maria Luigia. “He has this wonderful kitchen there that’s stocked with wonderful food,” said Emma Ponsonby of Satopia. “You open the fridge and its full of glass dishes of things, and it’s always really delicious, which I think is a special part of that hotel.”
“I think series like ‘Chef’s Table’ and other food documentaries are creating a curiosity for people not just to go and dine at fine restaurants, but to learn about chefs and meet them and the dishes they create,” Ponsonby said. Not to mention “The Bear,” which shows all facets of the kitchen, including the less savory ones.
Bottura’s Food for Soul and his other foundation in Modena, Il Tortellante, helps young people with autism by teaching them how to make pasta. “People who know Massimo appreciate his contribution back to people,” Ponsonby said.
In addition to truffles, Modena is known for its fresh parmigiano. “We crack open a wheel and that’s very divine,” said Ponsonby. “They get to take a chunk home with them as well.
“We have a pasta-making class where the guests get to make pasta and get their hands dirty and everybody loves that, too,” she added. The trip is five days and four nights and guests stay at the Casa the entire time.
Also upcoming is a trip with Asma Khan, “this incredible British Indian chef, who’s winning awards and she’s an activist,” Ponsonby said. “She’s very outspoken, and really stands for the rights of women.”
Guests will eat at Khan’s Darjeeling Express restaurant in London. “Asma does Indian food in a very authentic way,” Ponsonby said. “It’s all about these flavors. She’s hosting the experience to India and taking them to her family’s house and hosting a dinner in a courtyard that was in her ‘Chef’s Table’ episode. It’s six nights in India, $60,000 per room.”
Satopia recently became B Corp. certified, and recognizes companies that are doing things that are good for the world.