Italian Food Safari

Watch Italian Food Safari

  • 2010
  • 1 Season
  • 7.4  (11)

Italian Food Safari is a fascinating culinary show starring Maeve O'Mara in which the culture, history and food of Italy are explored in depth. The show takes us on a mouth-watering journey through the diverse regions of Italy, from the mountains in the North to the sunny islands in the South.

The show is shot in beautiful locations that perfectly capture the essence of Italy. From the lush green landscapes of Tuscany to the rocky coastlines of Sicily, the visuals are breathtaking and will transport you to the heart of the country.

One of the unique facets of this show is its focus on exploring the relationship between food and culture. The host, Maeve O'Mara, interacts with different families and local artisans who share their recipes and food traditions. We get to see how their ingredients, techniques, and unique flavors have been passed down from generation to generation.

The show is divided into episodes where each one covers a specific theme, such as pasta, cheese, wine, and seafood. In each episode, Maeve O'Mara meets with local experts in the field to discuss their knowledge and insights.

In one episode, Maeve explores the origins of Italian pasta and meets with a family who has been making it by hand for over a hundred years. She observes the time-consuming process of kneading and rolling the dough before she gets to taste a delicious plate of traditional pasta.

Another episode delves into the world of artisanal cheese-making, where we see the craftsmanship involved in creating iconic Italian cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Gorgonzola. Maeve visits different farms where she learns about the employees' laborious careers, from milking the cows to aging the cheese.

Throughout each episode, we get to appreciate the different cooking techniques used in Italy. From the simple and rustic dishes of the North to the rich and flavorful dishes of the South, we see how Italian cuisine is a blend of cultural influences from all over the world.

The show also gives us an insight into the fascinating history of Italy through its food. We learn about the different invasions and trade routes that have shaped the cuisine to what it is today. Maeve teases out the subtle cultural references in dishes we may already know, like pizza or bruschetta, for instance.

Italian Food Safari provides a unique window to the country's cities and towns, covering many of the lesser-known destinations that you might not find in guidebooks. The show takes us on a journey through the country's architecture, art, and history. We get insights into the different local festivals and traditions that elevate Italian culture.

Throughout the series, the focus remains firmly fixed on the food. We see how the ingredients’ quality (and the pride and care with which they are prepared) distinguishes Italian cuisine. From Sumptuous seafood platters to the clear broth of minestrone, we can taste the delicate balance of spices, cheese and acidity coming together to create a burst of flavors.

In conclusion, Italian Food Safari is an outstanding show that will satisfy both the curiosity and the appetites of foodies everywhere. With its stunning cinematography that captures Italy's beauty, a carefully curated mix of dishes and traditions, and an insightful journey through Italy's food culture, this show is a must-watch for anyone who loves the best of what Italy has to offer. It is a fantastic guide for anyone who wants to learn more about Italian cuisine or rekindle their passion for all things Italian.

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Seasons
Episode 13
13. Episode 13
June 11, 2010
"In this final episode, Italian Food Safari visits Far North Queensland and presenter Guy Grossi learns how buffalo mozzarella is made and the secret of its great taste and texture. He then shares his recipe for a simple but exquisite classic Caprese salad with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.
Episode 12
12. Episode 12
June 4, 2010
Italian Food Safari savours the seafood introduced to us by Italians - the squid that was once used as bait and is now a delicacy. Maeve joins Claude Basile whose grandfather was one of the pioneers of the Italian fishing fleets off the western Australian coast and he shares the recipe for his adored black ink pasta using squid ink sacs.
Episode 11
11. Episode 11
May 28, 2010
Presenter Guy Grossi goes hunting game with his chef friend Daniel Airo-Farula in the wintry hills of Bulla, then makes rabbit in a Sicilian style sweet and sour sauce- coniglio in agrodolce. In Sydney, well known chef Danny Russo shows off a delicious family recipe from Calabria for quail involtini.
Episode 10
10. Episode 10
May 21, 2010
Italian Food Safari discovers an Italian breed of cattle called Chianina now being reared in Australia by Daniela Mollica, who co-founded Slow Food in Melbourne - they're large, white and long legged and their meat is prized for the classic dish Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which calls for high quality aged meat cut thick.
Episode 9
9. Episode 9
May 14, 2010
This episode of Italian Food Safari celebrates the tradition of preserving the best in season. Maeve meets the effervescent Italian Australian GP Pietro Demaio whose self-published book "Preserving the Italian Way" has been a bestseller and inspired thousands - after a taste of home cured tuna, Maeve is a convert.
Episode 8
8. Episode 8
May 7, 2010
Italian Food safari visits Mario Mammone and his family who own large citrus orchards in the fruit bowl of Australia outside Mildura - they came to pick oranges and now own the farm, growing some varieties adored by Italians, including blood oranges. Presenter Guy Grossi visits the fennel growing Mason family on the fertile plains outside Melbourne.
Episode 7
7. Episode 7
April 30, 2010
Italian Food Safari joins professional rock fisherman Alex Bellissimo from Rock and Beach Charters at dawn to learn why so many Italians are drawn to the sea to fish for dinner. Respected Melbourne chef Robert Castellani from Donovan's Restaurant shows Guy an ingenious way of baking snapper and explains why Sicilians put a coin in the mouth of the fish.
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
April 23, 2010
Italian Food Safari presenter Guy Grossi meets passionate gardeners Lina and Antonio Siciliano who have created a huge vegetable and herb garden in Melbourne's suburbs that provides them with most of their meals and even the wine to drink with it. Maeve visits her friends the Marino family in Adelaide who show how they cure prosciutto on a large scale at San Marino Smallgoods.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
April 16, 2010
Italian Food Safari goes to the far western end of Australia to visit the crayfishermen of the Abrolhos Islands off Geraldton and Maeve spends time with Justin Pirrottina to learn how his father and other Italian fishermen came to fish the area and tastes how good a 'cray on the barbie" can be. Guy pops in on chef Maurizio Esposito to learn the secrets of his delicious crayfish gnocchi recipe.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
April 9, 2010
Presenter Guy Grossi visits dedicated Melbourne artisan baker Daniel Chirico and tastes bread straight from the oven drizzled with olive oil and learns why loaves with soul take a little longer to make...and to prove that nothing in the Italian realm goes to waste, Guy then demonstrates a delicious bread-based salad called panzanella.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
April 2, 2010
Italian Food Safari focuses on the glorious tomato, with presenter Guy Grossi joining tomato grower John Monigatti on Echuca's black soil plains during harvest. Maeve then shares tomato day with a large Calabrese clan - the Cipri family in suburban Sydney who have made fresh tomato sauce every year since the patriarch Severio arrived in Australia 45 years ago.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
March 26, 2010
Italian Food Safari joins the last sardine fisherman in Fremantle on the Western Australia coast, the charming Jim Mendolia who supplies the fresh fish market. Melbourne cook Rosa Mitchell from the Journal Canteen, better known as Rosa's Kitchen, shows Guy the secrets of her delicious classic recipe for stuffed sardines.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
March 19, 2010
Italian Food Safari opens with a celebration of the wood-fired oven, which many Italians constructed in their backyards when they arrived in Australia. Maeve visits the inspiring Ricupero family who settled in Jarrahdale outside Perth where they grow vegetables on a large scale and bake 140 loaves of bread every 2 weeks in the huge oven they built themselves.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    March 19, 2010
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (11)