Once again this year CLAI will be a protagonist with numerous events at Bacchanal 2022, the traditional food and wine and cultural event organized by the Municipality of Imola, which for more than 30 years has been among the most anticipated autumn events, not only for the city that hosts it. For this edition, which will be held from October 22 to November 13, a theme has been chosen that is only seemingly classic, but rich in facets and possible declinations as "Ripieni."
"Bacchanal represents a moment of great celebration for the entire Imola territory and its human, associative and entrepreneurial fabric," stresses Giovanni Bettini, President CLAI . CLAIhas been committed every day for 60 years so that taste, flavors, respect for traditions and the search for the highest quality and food safety contribute to fully enhancing the identity culture of its reference territory. Bacchanal, an event dedicated precisely to the culture of food, represents one of the occasions when with greater strength the fruits of this daily commitment can emerge through moments of meeting,sharing, reflection and fun. Among the many initiatives put in place by our Cooperative to make the 2022 edition even more special, I would like to mention the presentation of the work representing a lucid analysis of the Book of Accounts by a leading artist of the Imola Renaissance such as Gentile Fornarini, edited with great dedication and commitment by scholar Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti. For the upcoming Bacchanal, however, different types of events will be planned to encourage participation as much as possible: being together and getting together is in fact the best way for any community to grow and prosper."
And so, as anticipated by President Bettini, the diverse range of initiatives conceived by CLAI for the Bacchanal starts with the revival of such a popular experience as "Bacchanal in Villa." On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at 4 p.m., at the Sala Polivalente of Villa La Babina (the CLAI Management Center) in Sasso Morelli di Imola, the presentation of the editorial work Gentile Fornarini painter and potter from Faenza - Life and work in the account book of a Renaissance master, edited by Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti for La Mandragora Publishers of Imola, will take place.
Speakers, in addition to President Giovanni Bettini, will be Carmen Ravanelli Guidotti, editor of the work, and Massimo Montanari, of the University of Bologna. This will be followed by a tasting "Notes of Taste and Pleasure," introduced by Pietro D'Angeli, CLAI General Manager. The event is free, but reservations are required, by Nov. 3, at email: [email protected].
During the Bacchanal, the CLAI Cooperative, which makes a sense of belonging to the territory one of its main peculiarities, will offer a tasting of the most representative cured meats of the heritage and tradition of its production; controlled from the fields to the table. From Friday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 13, CLAI will be present at the "Banco di Taggio dei Vini e dei Prodotti Agroalimentari dell'Imolese e Olimola" (organized by Bacchanal at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola) with "Make a pit-stop of goodness." three evenings in the CLAI space under the banner of taste with the "Tagliere degustazione di Casa CLAI" and with exhibition and sale of CLAI and Zuarina cured meats, Faggiola cheeses and "Podere Pratale" EVOO olive oil. It will also be an opportunity to visit the exhibition "A Singular Cooperative Experience," created for the 60th anniversary of the Cooperative's founding.
CLAI's program is really rich. "Thetheme of this year's Bacchanal has stimulated our imagination - confirms Lorenzo Ravidà, Store Manager of the Butcher Shops of Contadino in Riolo Terme and coordinator of CLAI events -. The world of stuffing, on the other hand, involves us closely and already projects us into the splendid atmosphere of Christmas. Think of the roast, one of the typical dishes of this holiday, a gastronomic symbol of the concept of family and the desire to be together. Moreover, it is a dish that takes time and should be prepared in advance, thus allowing us to give "free rein" to the natural desire for conviviality that dwells in each of us even before serving it on the table."
Particularly active during the Bacchanal will therefore be the Butcher Shops of Contadino, the outlets of excellence of the Cooperative present in the area that make experience, hospitality and quality the cornerstones of their relationship with their customers. And the occasion of the Bacchanal confirms this vocation for sociability and conviviality, but also the pleasure of tasting typical products that are apparently secondary, such as "fillings," which instead occupy a central position in the dishes, enriching them with flavor and attractiveness. And they will be among the protagonists of "Ripieni, Rotoli e Arrosti," the Cooking School to be held on Friday, Nov. 11, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Multipurpose Hall of Villa La Babina in Sasso Morelli di Imola. The maximum number of participants per session is 12 (36 total), for a cost of 25 euros per participant per session (included in the registration fee: apron, hat and kitchen torch, along with their own uncooked preparations). Under the guidance of chefs, culinary instructors and CLAI culinary experts, each participant will be able to create the ideal stuffing for stuffing different cuts of meat, thanks to twelve equipped workstations and all the ingredients needed to make the preparations. It will be an opportunity to solicit the creativity, imagination and taste memory of cooking enthusiasts.
Reservations are compulsory and must be made by Thursday, Nov. 10, at Contadino butcher stores or by emailing: [email protected].
The return of the "Palchi del Gusto," the temporary showcases in Imola's main squares that celebrate local products, pandering to the Bacchanal theme, will also give Macellerie del Contadino the opportunity to further contribute to this great Imola event. In particular, it will be the Vicolo Inferno outlet that will be offering "Un Palco Ripieno di Gusto" from Tuesday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 30, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. in Imola's Piazza Dell'Ulivo. This is a free event of popular entertainment, with animations and games related to the theme of Bacchanal, during which free samples of tasty stuffed cooked foods, prepared by the chefs of the Butcher Shops of Contadino CLAI, will be available.
It's not over yet. "ForLe Macellerie del Contadino - adds in fact Ravidà - the Bacchanal is always a golden opportunity to meet the most loyal customers and intrigue new ones, even making them become the protagonists of their shopping: during the Bacchanal period, they will be the ones who will be able to decide, if they want, which meats to match with the different fillings. We want to maximize the level of customization of our offer to meet everyone's tastes." For the entire duration of Bacchanal 2022, the "The Stuffing I'd Like" promotion will therefore be active at the Contadino CLAI Butcher Shops during store opening hours: roasts, rolls and stuffed poultry can be found at a single special price and a dedicated space, served by CLAI staff, within which, directly at the time of purchase, each customer can have the chosen product stuffed with the available stuffing he or she prefers.
