PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two Philly food personalities are hosting a cheese tour in northern Italy this month, and you can join them.
Emilio Mignucci, the third-generation owner of Di Bruno Bros., is co-hosting the trip alongside cheese expert Tenaya Darlington, who has authored seven books on il formaggio, including “Di Bruno Bros. House of Cheese.”
Eating, drinking, telling stories — that’s what’s to come on the Cheese Journeys tour.
Related
Before launching this trip, Mignucci would often travel to Italy to meet with the producers of his stores’ wares.
“When I tell them the story from behind the counter, they’re like, ‘Wow, I wish I was there,’ ” he said. And finally, with this trip, he’s able to take his customers along.
Tour guests will learn about hosting, food photography, charcuterie boards and more from the hired chef in their rented villa. The itinerary also includes balsamic vinegar-makers, wineries and more food stops — which, Mignucci admits, sometimes takes the group off schedule.
“My palate is always ready to taste something,” he said, “to go get a croissant or a pastry. Those experiences, that’s the fun part of being there.”
Related
“A lot of the people we’re visiting are cheesemakers who I first learned about here at Di Bruno Bros. from Emilio,” added Darlington. “I had my first bite of Cravero Parmigiano downstairs, and we’re gonna go hang out with [affineur] Giorgio Cravero, which I’ve done before but then to do it with Emilio, it’s like a whole other level.”
They’ll be posting pictures of their journeys on Instagram, so you can follow along from home.
“You can really travel along with us, even if it’s as an armchair traveler.”