Meet the Locals JOIN US ON A CULINARY ADVENTURE! Verduno Italy May 2017 The Local Wild Food Challenge Italy A Culinary Adventure Travel www.localwildfoodchallengeverduno.com CONTACT 508 308 9332 info@localwildfoodchallengeverduno.com
What is it? A cooking competition in which contestants will forage, hunt, gather or barter for the ingreditents of a dish. Dishs are judged on Story, Ingredients, Presentation & Taste. In 2017, Bill Manson will host 8 events in 4 countries gathering competitors and enthusiasts who will organize, travel, compete and explore wild food adventure, ingredients, dishes and stories. In the past 8 years The Local Wild Food Challenge has produced 50+ events in 5 Countries. With the generosity of friends and partners, you may meet, making it possible for more than 10,000 wild food enthusiasts to experience food, adventures, wild food networking, cooking, tasting and wild culinary experiences. Many Competitors, Spectators, Friends & Partners of Local Wild Food Challenge have asked about traveling to the the events in Italy and other countries, either alone or with a small group of friends, to spectate, explore and or compete. In response to this request we have created an itinerary in collaboration with our hosts and a local custom travel designer. CONTACT 508 308 9332 info@localwildfoodchallengeverduno.com Bill Manson founder The Local Wild Food Challenge
travel to & participate in Local Wild Food Challenge Verduno Italy may 7 to 14, 2017 CONTACT 508 308 9332 info@localwildfoodchallengeverduno.com The Place Village of Vernudo Piemonte, Italy You will drive from Milano to the Hills of the Langhe Roero and arrive in the Village of Verduno. A Medeavil Village located in the heart of the Langhe, home to Barlolo and Barbaresco Wine Country where dozens of small production wineries nurturing and crafting rare vatielals continue to produce unique wine indiginous to this area. This region is spotted with historic villages known for their agricutlture, cuisine, wine and tradtion. Close by, and part of your expereince here, is the town Bra, the home of Slow Food International, Alba, the quaint city famous for truffles, Monforte, La Mora, Barbaresco and other notable wine making villages where great wines are created, the culinary arts are inspired and traditions preserved.
8 Day & 7 Night Trip May 7 to May 14, 2017 5 Day & 4 Night Trip May 10 to May 14, 2017 The package includes: 7 nights in double room at Agriturismo Ca del Re, breakfast and city taxes 5 lunches drinks included, as per program 6 dinners drinks included, as per program all admissions, visits, tastings, expert tours and activities, entrance fees, as per program participation to LWFC day of the event and travellers benefits, as per program private transfers for the entire stay, as per program picked local guides for the entire stay, as per program (including meals and travel allowances) welcome pack with LWFC kit digital memory book highlighting the trip all taxes, operating costs, voucher-free service and local staff available for assistance 24/7 The package includes: 4 nights in double room at Agriturismo Ca del Re, breakfast and city taxes 2 lunches drinks included, as per program 3 dinners drinks included, as per program all admissions, visits, tastings, expert tours and activities, entrance fees, as per program participation to LWFC day of the event private transfers for the entire stay, as per program picked local guides for the entire stay, as per program (including meals and travel allowances) digital memory book highlighting the trip all taxes, operating costs, voucher-free service and local staff available for assistance 24/7 The package does not include: transfers from/to airports; lunch and dinner on day seven; extras in general; anything not expresslyspecified. The package does not include: transfers from/to airports; lunch and dinner on day seven; extras in general; anything not expressly specified. Price: 2.650 per person Price: 1.950 per person Registration deadline March, 7th 2017 Maximum number of participants limited to 18 Registration deadline March, 7th 2017 Maximum number of participants limited to 18 Supplements: private transfer from Turin or Milan airports to hotel or viceversa: + 50 pp per way accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double room (Nando Foresteria): + 140 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double room (Castalderia): + 210 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double room (Castello): + 210 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double jr. suite room (Castello): + 280 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double suite room (Castello): + 595 pp Supplements: private transfer from Turin or Milan airports to hotel or viceversa: + 50 pp per way accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double room (Nando Foresteria): + 80 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double room (Castalderia): + 120 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double room (Castello): + 120 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double jr. suite room (Castello): + 160 pp accommodation at Hotel Real Castello, in a double suite room (Castello): + 340 pp
Accommodations & Hosts Real Castello Di Verduno www.realcastello.com/en Elisa Burlotto Castello Di Verduno Daughter of the Commendatore Giovanni Battista, who passionately dedicated his time to what became the Real Castello. Alessandra Buglioni di Monale A master and teacher who shares her knowledge and the wild flavors of her homeland. She is the Chef of the Restaurant Real Castello di Verduno. Elisabetta Buglioni di Monale Manages accommodation, cultural and art projects at the Castello, such as, Love, Ladies and Knives. Castello di Verduno host for accommodations and Activities LOCATION Local Wild Food Challenge Verduno Italy May 2017 Agriturismo Cà Del Re www.agriturismocadelre.it/en Great tradition and passion have always characterized the family Burlotto Bianco and the quality of their products accommodations, cuisine and hospitality. Marcella and Franco are head of Verduno Castle winery from generations of passionate wine lovers of Barolo and Barbaresco regions. Agritourismo Ca del Re host for accommodations and Activities Gabriella, Giovanna and Emiliano host and manage the Agriturismo Cà del Re (restaurant and B&B) overseeing the selection of ingredients and traditional recipes, to impress those who decide to come and visit us.
8 Day & 7 Night Trip Begins Day 1 Sunday May 7, 2017 12 TO 5PM Arrive, Check in, Relax, Explore... Suggestions for your afternoon; Walk the Village of Verduno. Visit the Village La Mora, a 20 min walk or a 3 min drive. Taste wine in local vinyard or enotecca. Read, sleep, meet your local hosts. 5:00 PM Apperative at in the Garden of Castello di Verduno enjoying a view of the Vineyards and Alps. 7:30 PM A short walk through the village to dinner. 8:00 PM Dinner at Agritourismo Ca Del Re. Evening in Verduno
Day 2 Monday - May 8, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. 08:45 Meeting in reception with our select LFWC guide(s). Today s guides: Bill Manson & Robert Morrison LWFC founder coordinator Elena Grilli Local Landmate N.B. All guides in this trip are authentic locals with a great passion and deep knowledge of their territory, in addition to being strong supporters and ambassadors of the LWFC! 09:00 Private transfer to Monforte (17 Km). 09:30 Arrival and time at leisure in Monforte village (e.g. explore, walk, coffee, etc.). Walk (approx. 45 min.) or private transfer to Località Ginestra (2 Km). 11:15 Arrival at Classic Monforte Winery. Guided visit of the historic cellar and wine tasting. N.B. Possibility to visit the cellar and buy wines with international shipping 12:45 Private transfer to Serralunga d Alba (10 Km). 1:00 Lunch at Osteria Tre Case 3-course menu with wine. N.B. Bill, Robert and Elena have lunch with the group. 4:00 Private transfer back to Verduno (15 Km). 4:30 Arrival in Verduno. Time at leisure / relax. 6:45 Private transfer to La Morra (4 Km). 7:00 Explore & Enjoy Apperrativo. 8:00 Dinner at Locanda Fontanazza 4-course menu with wine. 11:15 Private transfer back to Verduno (4 Km). 11:30 Arrival in Verduno.
Day 3 Tuesday - May 9, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. 09:00 Meeting in reception with our picked LFWC guide(s). Today s guides: Silvio Pistone Local Landmate & Owner at Cascina Pistone cheese farm Robert Morrison LWFC coordinator Marco Colucci Local Landmate 09:15 Private transfer to Alba (10 Km). 09:30 Time at leisure in Alba (optional: e-bike tour in the hills; to be requested at the time of booking). 12:00 Private transfer to Borgomale (18 Km). 12:30 Arrival at Cascina Pistone cheese farm, top quality family-run cheese farm surrounded by the lovely landscape of the unspoiled Upper Langa: welcome by the owner Silvio and visit to dairy farm and stables. 1:00 Private tasting-lunch with the cheesemaker based on the great cheeses of the farm and quality local products (6 cheeses in different seasonings, cold meats, vegetables, cugnà, hand-made sourdough ovenbaked bread, artisan chocolates, wine. N.B. Tasting-lunch takes place inside the typical and picturesque ciabot (wooden hut); Robert and Marco have lunch with the group. 3:30 Private transfer back to Verduno (16 Km). 4:00 Arrival in Verduno. Guides and driver leave the group. Time at leisure / relax. 6:15 Private transfer to La Morra (4 Km). 6:30 Arrival and time at leisure in La Morra village (e.g. walk, aperitif, etc.). 8:00 Dinner at Osteria More & Macine (4-course set menu, with wine). 11:15 Private transfer back to Verduno (4 Km). 11:30 Arrival in Verduno.
5 Day 4 Night Trip Begins. Day 4 Wednesday - May 10, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. 09:30 Meeting in reception with our picked LFWC guide(s). Today s guides: Carlo Fanti Local Landmate Robert Morrison LWFC coordinator. Bill Manson LWFC founder & international coordinator 09:45 Private transfer to Bra (10 Km). 10:00 Arrival and time at leisure in Bra (e.g. explore, shop, walk, coffee, aperitif etc.). 12:30 Lunch at Osteria Boccondivino (3-course set menu with wine). N.B. Robert and Carlo have lunch with the group. 2:45 Private transfer back to Verduno (10 Km). 3:00 Arrival in Verduno. Time at leisure / relax. 6:00 Aperitif in the garden at Castello di Verduno (wine and finger-food snacks). N.B. Aperitif takes place again with LWFC founder and organizers (Bill Manson and Robert Morrison) at Castello di Verduno as during the welcome of the second group arrived in the afternoon. 8:00 Dinner at Trattoria dai Bercau N.B. Bill and Robert have dinner with guests from both groups.
Day 5 Thursday - May 11, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. 08:45 Meeting in reception with our picked LFWC guide(s). Today s guides: Robert Morrison LWFC international coordinator Rinaldo Rava Local Landmate & Slow Food International Bureau Marco Colucci Local Landmate Luca Aloi & Willy Local Landmates & Truffle Hunters 09:00 Private transfer to Pollenzo (6 Km), UNESCO world heritage site and headquarters of SLOW FOOD international association and UNISG University of Gastronomic Sciences. 09:15 Private visit to the neo-gothic renovated complex of the Agenzia and introduction to the Slow Food history, philosophy, active projects and sustainability. The tour continues with the private visit to the prestigious University of Gastronomic Sciences and the historic cellars of the Wine Bank, dating back to the XVIII century. N.B. The Wine Bank is a cooperative founded in 2001 from an idea put forward by Carlo Petrini at the end of the nineties in order to build the historical memory of Italian wine by selecting, storing and retaining the best wines of the peninsula. Final wine tasting (selection of 2 wines from the Wine Bank). 11:15 Private transfer to Montà d Alba (28 Km). 12:00 Arrival in Montà and meeting with the truffle hunter Luca and his great trusty dog Willy! Continuation through the Roero hills and vineyards to the woods. Private truffle hunting excursion in the woods, an adventure & learning experience... on the truffles. 1:30 Thematic special lunch with the truffle hunter and his family at their pretty restored stone hut in the middle of the wood (assortment of snacks with truffle-based products, various homemade appetizers, egg cooked on the stove with fresh black truffle, homemade typical pasta Tajarin cooked on the stove with fresh black truffle and traditional piedmontese dessert Bunet. N.B. Robert and Marco have lunch with the group. 4:00 Private transfer back to Verduno via some of the most scenic backroads of the Roero hills. (28 Km). 5:00 Arrival in Verduno. Guides and driver leave the group. Relax / Time at leisure. 7:00 Private transfer to Bra (10 Km). N.B. Robert joins the group for the evening. 7:15 Arrival and aperitif at Caffè Boglione 8:30 Dinner at Ristorante Battaglino 10:45 Private transfer back to Verduno (10 Km). 11:00 Arrival in Verduno.
Day 6 Friday May 12, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. 08:45 Meeting in reception with our picked LFWC guide(s). Today s guides: Andrea Pieroni Local Landmate, UNISG lecturer & Master s programs coordinator Alessandra Buglioni di Monale Local Landmate & Head Chef at Castello di Verduno Bill Manson & Robert Morrison LWFC founder & Coordinator Elena Grilli Local Landmate Olek Bondonio Local Landmate and owner at Olek Bondonio winery 09:00 Explore, see & taste tour/forage of the castle s grounds/hillsides guided by prof. Andrea Pieroni (and/or other professional botanist). 10:30 Private wild cooking class in the castle s kitchen with the head chef Alessandra Buglioni di Monale and LWFC founder & chef Bill Manson. 12:30 Exclusive tasting-lunch in the castle s garden (dishes prepared, 1 bt of wine every 2 pax, water, coffee). 2:30 Private transfer to Neive (23 Km). 3:00 Panoramic trekking guided by the winemaker Olek Bondonio through the enchanting Barbaresco hills and vineyards, via the picturesque wine villages of Neive and Barbaresco (5 Km). N.B. Easy trekking (5 Km ca.) suitable for all; no specific equipment required, sportswear recommended only; alternative options available for those who might prefer not to walk! 4:30 Arrival at Olek s winery, private tour of the cellar with tasting directly from the barrels (3 wines). 6:00 Private transfer back to Verduno (18 Km). 6:30 Arrival in Verduno. Guides and driver leave the group. 8:00 Wild BBQ dinner in the garden at Castello di Verduno by Alessandra Buglioni di Monale Local Landmate & Head Chef at Castello di Verduno and Bill Manson LWFC founder. Evening in Verduno.
Day 7 Saturday May 13, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. EXPERIENCE OR COMPETE IN 2017 LOCAL WILD FOOD CHALLENGE VERDUNO! - Food & wine stations and local wild market all day long. - Workshops & Challenge. - Award ceremony, evening Concert & Wild Party. N.B. Official program of the event will be on line 3 months before @ www.localwildfoodchallengeverduno.com SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR TRAVELLERS TO THE EVENT: - Priority registration to The Challenge, either as competitor or spectator; - Thematic workshop of choice; - Shuttle service hotel / venue / hotel available all day; - Dedicated staff and lounge area at Verduno Castle; - Light lunch and drinks with the organizers. Day 8 Sunday, May 14, 2017 Breakfast at hotel. Check-out. Individual departures. N.B. Private transfers to Turin and Milan airports available on request.
Castello di Verduno HOST PARTNER & LOCATION Local Wild Food Challenge Verduno Italy May 13, 2017
Host Location Castello di Verduno A four generations old Hunting Lodge. This Italian version, a 16 room Castle with vineyards, reknown winery, restaurant and culinary programs integrating international chefs and culinary styles into a traditional Northern Italian Cuisine.
Formal at first glance when you look closer you see an evolution a mix of the old and the new A perfect blend of generations
Event Location Castello di Verduno. A four generations old hunting lodge. This ItalianVersion is a 16 room Castle with Vineyards, Reknown Wineery, Restaurant and culinary programs integrating international chefs and ideas into a traditional Northern Italian Cuisine.
Agritourismo Ca del Re partner host for accommodations and a dinner
Ristorante Dai Bercau partner host for dinner
Ristorante Battaglino partner host for dinner on May 9th 20:00 Tour of Bra & Aperitivo
Wine Bank at University of Gastronomic Sciences host for Tour & Tasting May 9th
WHAT S IT ALL ABOUT? WHO Home Cooks, Restaurants, Fishermen, Caterers, Hunter-Gatherers, Chefs, Kids...Wine makers! HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? LWFCs are so easy to be a part of, as a competitor simply include AT LEAST one wild ingredient in an entry of your choice. Competitors & spectators, young & old, amateurs & pros, town & country, sponsors & volunteers. Everyone can enjoy SEEING and TAST- ING dishes created by locals in a CASUAL, FUN environment. Amazing PRIZE PACKAGES up for grabs, donated by GENEROUS COMMUNITY FOCUSED businesses and individuals. GET OUT THERE and join our GROWING global local wild food challenge community. WHAT Hot, cold, liquid, frozen, raw, marinated, smoked, seared, preserved ANY- THING! All entries are anonymous to our judging panel. NO PRESSURE. SPIRIT Respecting adventurous culinary creativity of our past and future. Inspired by the beauty & bounty of special parts of our world. WHY? Create awareness of precious natural resources & environment. Get together, eat & drink, learn & have fun! Encouraging people to get out into their local natural environments and source wild ingredients through hunting, fishing, foraging & gathering. PEOPLE & PLACE For the People & By the People. Celebrating the resourceful talents of local people living in communities where wild food is available. LOCAL WILD APERITIVO MADE IN VERDUNO Experience it at Castello di Verduno
Founding Family We are the Mansons. We love the outdoors and we love to cook. We ve cooked for all kinds of people all over the world and incorporated outdoor lifestyle and food into each place we have lived. In 2015 we will produce 10 Local Wild Food Challenges in 5 countries. After spending years in the mountains of France we now divide our year living between Eastbourne, near Wellington NZ, and Martha s Vineyard, an island off of the northeast coast of the US. As people who travel and cook we have been amazed to discover just how much good wild food is right on the door step. This discovery has been largely due to friends, fellow enthusiasts, accomplished fishermen, hunters, gatherers & foragers. We thank these people for sharing with us their local knowledge & bounty of wild treats. Beautiful Environments. Intriguing Ingredients. Good Clean Locals. Get Amongst It! Our Mission Our Mission. Promote understanding, appreciation & sustainability of these fantastic resources surrounding us. We believe that, the deeper you venture into your environment, the more motivation you have to protect it. The Story So Far A Local Wild Food Community. For the people, by the people. Founded in 2008 The Local Wild Food Challenge is A Culinary Adventure Competition. Local Wild Food Challenges are designed to showcase the resourcefulness of local people living in communities where wild food is available. From one small contest in Eastbourne, NZ we now have 8 challenges in 4 countries. Be a Partner and Grow with us. Learn with us, help us teach.
Explore. Taste. Visit Ideas & Activities: Full-day guided horseback riding excursion in the unspoiled Upper Langa including lunch at an organic farm along the way. Half-day cookery course with lunch / dinner at a local agriturism or a true piedmontese family. Vespa PX 125 rental, incuding helmet, RC insurance, road assistance, paper maps. Truffle hunting excursion with trifolao and dog, deepening on the truffle subject and final tasting in the woodland including fresh black truffles and truffle-based products. E-bike rental, including helmet, padlock and delivery at your accommodation. Private visit to a small family-run cheese farm and tasting-lunch with the cheesemaker. Private visit to a prestigious Barolo or Barbaresco or Roero winery, introduction in the vineyards and following wine tasting seminar with the winemaker. Bike rental, incuding helmet, padlock and delivery at your accommodation. Self-guided trekking in the vineyards with bio-picnic including food and drinks.
Explore. Taste. Visit Ideas & Activities: Private visit to an artisan hazelnut farm producing and processing Piedmont IGP Hazelnuts with eco- educational path from the cultivation, shelling, roasting, until the end product and final tasting. Visit to an artisan family-run workshop producing handcrafted cured meats exclusively fillets! - plain or flavoured with Barolo wine, truffle, herbs and grappas. Guided tasting led by the owner. Visit to the historic Romano Levi distillery with final tasting of different types of grappa. Individual visit to Barolo Castle & Wine Museum. Individual visit to Grinzane Cavour Castle and Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour. Guided nature trail through the open-air Ecomuseo delle Rocche del Roero and tasting of local products inside a typical crutin (natural cave dug in the tuff) On request Outing in a horse and carriage and bio-picnic in a panoramic spot amidst the fields.... creative ideas and custom tours available on request!
ABOUT OUR LOCAL WILD FOOD CHALLENGE VERDUNO TOUR DESIGNERS & COORDINATORS. Who we are, the way we operate and our philosophy: LOCAL the roots. WILD the spirit. FOOD the passion. We take you deeply into the most authentic experiences of our land our greatest and never ending CHALLENGE. In a way handmade, in a word Landmade! We are a family-run tour operator, based in Alba and composed basically by me and my cousin Ilenia. Marco Colucci Landmade Tours I m a custom travel designer while she is a food technologist and professional sommelier. Then other 4 persons work in our team: 3 outdoor experts and our senior travel specialist Elena. Since ever we cultivate our big passions for food & wine and everything that s outdoors, which, consequentially, represents the fields we are specialized in. Apart from how many people are involved in each trip or event, we always work on a tailor-made basis. And, it s really simple: we just love inviting people to see/share our favourite places & tastes! Of course we do it in many ways but whenever it s possible we definitely prefer to go around with people, because 1) we like very much meeting new people, 2) we believe people can get much more out of their experience going around with locals. So, in a way handmade, in a word Landmade! We hope we will help you understand a bit more about our little world and big mission! A GLASS of WINE is always a GOOD IDEA. We ll share it all with you. We will make your experience this multifaceted, colorful, tasty, sometimes foggy place through its actors, its food, its nature and, of course, its WINE. Ilenia Colucci Winemoretime