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Mondo Italiano Magazine Publisher & Editor J. Iaco Shapiro Assistant Editor Carmella Gambino Design Editor Juliana LaBonte Contributing Columnist Amir Rossi Internet Technology Mario Pelagalli Non-Profit Director Kolleen Poirier Event Coordinator James Lorenzo
Publisher Jay Shapiro
10 COMMANDMENTS OF ITALIAN CUISINE 1 - YOU SHALL NOT SIP CAPPUCCINO DURING A MEAL! Coffee and cappuccino are the pride of Italy in the world; but if the first is usually consumed at the end of the meal, the second, more substantial, is sipped at breakfast, usually accompanied by some pastry. You can ask for a cappuccino at the end of a meal, just know that most Italians don’t.
2 - RISOTTO AND PASTA ARE NOT A SIDE DISH The organization of courses in the Italian dining is unique and requires pasta and – most of the time – risotto to be served by themselves (apart from specific recipes such as Ossobuco milanese-style). The presentation of pasta as a side dish to others is widespread in several countries, but in Italy is seen almost as a sacrilege.
3 - YOU SHALL NOT ADD OIL TO PASTA WATER! Oil should not be added to pasta cooking water! Pasta dressing (and oil too) must be added only after you have drained it from its cooking water. Find out how to cook pasta like an Italian here.
4 - KETCHUP ON PASTA: PLEASE, DON’T This is one of the combinations that most shocks Italians; although ketchup may have some similarities to tomato sauce, pouring ketchup over pasta in the “Bel Paese” is considered a real gourmet crime. Keep ketchup for your french fries or hot dogs, please!
5 - SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE? NO WAY, IT’S TAGLIATELLE! While probably being the world’s most popular Italian recipe, you will not find any restaurant in Bologna to eat it. That’s because the original Italian recipe is “Tagliatelle Bolognese” (not spaghetti). Although this may seem a minor detail, in real Italian cuisine the pairing of the right kind of pasta with the right sauce is considered almost sacred.
6 - CHICKEN PASTA: NOT IN ITALY Speaking with American friends, one of the most frequent requests is the advice for a typical Italian recipe for pasta with chicken. It’s always rather embarrassing to point out that in Italy there are no hot dishes featuring pasta and chicken.
7 - “CAESAR SALAD” This salad, which bears the name of its supposed creator, Caesar Cardini, is a part of the long list of recipes devised by chefs of Italian origin, but in fact is almost unknown in Italy.
8 - THE RED AND WHITE CHECKERED TABLECLOTH IS ONLY A STEREOTYPE! For some strange reason, these tablecloths are universally associated with our food and with the stereotype of the "spaghetti-eater", and abroad almost all the restaurants that want to play typical Italian use them. Probably, tourists who come to visit Italy remain somewhat disappointed when they discover that the checkered tablecloths are almost never used (only restaurants for tourists do!)
9 - “FETTUCCINE ALFREDO” ARE POPULAR ONLY OVERSEAS This is perhaps the most curious in this top ten. The fettuccine Alfredo is both the most famous “Italian” food in the United States and the least known dish in Italy. These noodles, seasoned with butter and Parmigiano Reggiano, are in fact actually been invented in the “Bel Paese”, specifically by Alfredo Di Lelio, the owner of a restaurant in Rome, but in Italy have never been imposed as a traditional dish. Overseas, however, have become increasingly popular and in time became a symbol of the good life in Rome. For this reason legions of American tourists coming to Italy hoping to enjoy the fettuccine Alfredo at every restaurant on the peninsula remain very disappointed.
10 - YOU SHALL RESPECT TRADITION AND WHAT ITALIAN MAMMA SAYS. She knows from her mamma, who knew from her mamma who knew from her mamma and so on. It's been tried and tested. And what a mother teaches at her daughter while they are cooking? That love is the center of all. We must share Italian food with your loved ones. It is what life, love and family are all about.
Rob Ceravolo Speaks at Caribbean Aviation Forum Rob Ceravolo, CEO of Tropic Ocean Airways, the largest commercial operator of Cessna Caravan EX seaplanes in the world, confirms he will present at the 2nd Annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup in St. Maarten, being held June 13-15. During the event, a factory-new seaplane will be flown in from Tropic Ocean’s base of operations in Fort Lauderdale, FL for demonstrations and splash landings in St. Maarten, Anguilla and Nevis. Mr. Ceravolo will be joined by U.S. aircraft manufacturer Cessna/Textron Aviation, a leader in general aviation and partner of Tropic Ocean, and U.S. float manufacturer Wipaire. The focus of the 2nd Annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup will be on the exchange of experience and lessons learned between leaders in Caribbean aviation. The result being an overall improvement in Caribbean airlift. Rob Ceravolo will share his experience of growing the airline company into an industry leader since its inception in 2009. Mr. Ceravolo will highlight how his business practices have been shaped by his experience as a veteran Navy fighter pilot and TOP GUN instructor alongside Tropic Ocean Airways’ Director of New Business, Mike Ritzi, who has many years of aviation experience in the Caribbean. Mr. Ritzi looks forward to the event and the opportunity it creates in bringing aligned businesses together. Mr. Ritzi believes, “The meetup will be a platform for improving travel and tourism in the islands of the Caribbean. Reliable airlift is the key to connecting islanders and tourists and serves as a strong contributor to economic growth in the region that we are happy to be a part of.” The leading seaplane operator got its start in Florida in 2009 with one Cessna 206 seaplane and has grown to a fleet of 11 aircraft, with plans to add an additional five aircraft in the next 12 months. With operations and safety procedures based on best practices of U.S. Navy fighter squadrons, the airline was awarded the Argus Gold Rating for Safety. Additionally, in 2016 Tropic Ocean serviced ~15,000 guests, while achieving a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor, and grew to over 70 employees, expanding their reach to the out islands of The Bahamas the New York region and Cuba. “During this time of expansion for our company, we hope to learn from the Caribbean Aviation Meetup as well as share our experiences with other industry leaders to improve the overall travel safety and experience in the Caribbean,” said Tropic Ocean Airways CEO Rob Ceravolo about the event. About Tropic Ocean Airways: Tropic Ocean Airways is the Eastern United States leading seaplane travel company that offers private charter, scheduled service and cargo services throughout South Florida, the Florida Keys, Bahamas and beyond. The FAA certified air-carrier was founded by Navy TOP GUN fighter pilot Rob Ceravolo in 2009. Since inception, the safety measures have awarded Tropic, the ARGUS gold rating for safety, a perfect record of zero FAA violations and a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. The premier company has its own in-house maintenance team and facility, along with pilots who bring over 100+ years of combined flying experience in harsh and tropical weather conditions, who work together to deliver the highest level of first-class customer service during each flight. The factory-new seaplane and wheeled caravan aircraft can perform water-based, or runway landings and departures, making Tropic the ideal choice for travel.