Mamma Agata
At table
Windows in time. They say that life is made up of moments, which sharpen your senses
and reinforce your sight. All comes together, and you realize how fortunate you
are to be in the moment, and recognize it for what it is.
This is the feeling that overcomes you sitting on Mamma Agata's terrace, high up
in the clouds in a jewel of a small Italian town called Ravello. Water surrounds
your view and the air is like white gold. On the table before you are numerous little
dishes holding secrets that taste like treasures. You can't stop eating everything,
in between the stories and colour that make up the conversation.
She prepares a meal with both the love and respect that it commands. She has been
cooking most of her life; since her teenage years in the nearby summer villa of
a wealthy American woman, who had entertained many illustrious personalities in
the 50's 60's.
They called her "Baby Agata", since she was so young but dedicated to
her craft.
Either cooking for a large gathering or an impromptu poolside lunch, the approach
was always the same. Traditional dishes with regional ingredients replaced formal
ones and Mamma Agata always remembered her guests' favourites. When Fred Astaire
came to call, after a lunch of spaghetti alla puttanesca, he would waltz
the hostess's elderly mother around the courtyard. Humphrey Bogart was more reserved,
and quietly ate his alici fritti while taking in the view. The pasta e fagioli
was a dish exclusively reserved for Anita Eckberg, a gloriously tall woman with
skin like milk. But, my favourite memory that Mamma Agata shared with me is that
of Jacqueline Kennedy, who impressed her with "un eleganza molto simplice"
an elegant simplicity that was unique only to her, enjoying mozzarella and tomato
salad beside the pool.
In the last 14 years, Gennaro has joined in the kitchen and cooks side-by-side
with Mamma Agata every day and each of them are such great cooks and although they
have different techniques, they both reach the most amazing results - delicious
food with wonderful flavours and Simple and Genuine cooking, of course!
There is a nice parallel between Gennaro's and Mamma Agata's story. They both share
a huge passion for cooking from a very young age, and they both spent their years
as young adults working in the culinary field and now of course, they share their
passion for food and wine with the guests at the Hidden Treasure.
Gennaro is not only a great cook but also a Professionally Certified Sommelier
and a member of AIS (International Sommelier Association),which is the official
Italian organisation that recognizes highly acclaimed sommeliers throughout Italy.
Membership in this prestigious club is difficult to obtain and boasts some of the
best wine connoisseurs in the world.
In addition to being a certified sommelier, Gennaro is also a professional cheese
taster, known in Italy as a "Maestro degustatore di formaggio".
To gain this highly acclaimed status, Gennaro studied and tasted hundreds of cheeses
and he is now ready and waiting to share this vast knowledge with you and your friends
in this once in a lifetime experience.
If Mamma Agata is the soul of the family, Chiara is the heart.
She is the lifeblood, maintaining the "heartbeat' of the household to ensure
all
parts work harmoniously. Through love and encouragement, Chiara constantly nourishes
and provides support.
Elegant simplicity! These words are exactly the way in which Mamma Agata
and Gennaro prepares and shares a meal at table .
Mamma Agata Cookbook 5th Ed.!
Look Inside
Mamma Agata on MasterChef UK on BBC One
We are thrilled to share a very exciting news for all of you Amalfi Coast lovers! The semi final of MasterChef UK show on BBC One, has been filmed at the beautiful Mamma Agata Cooking School on the Amalfi Coast. In this episode, judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace take the semi finalists on a culinary...
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Chiara and Gennaro
on WUSA 9 TV News
see videos
Mamma Agata Shop
Bring the flavours of Mamma Agata into your house... Do not miss out Mamma Agata Products as a special present or to simply treat yourself! We ship all over the World and we will be happy to customize your order! Please, for additional information, send us an email at info@mammaagata.com!
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Bring Italy and Mamma Agata into your home!!!
Dear Friends, Happy Holidays!!!!! It is that time of year to pull out the sweaters and scarves and start warming up the house with some good hearty cooking!! It is that time ....to think for a UNIQUE gift for that special someone... or just if you want to treat yourself in a very special way... We sincerely...
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Finally…Mamma Agata’s extra Virgin Olive oil!!!
After more than a decade of requests ... the wait is over!!! We are thrilled to announce the launch of Mamma Agata's Extra Virgin Olive Oil, our newest and most exciting endeavour! It has been a JOY preparing for this special moment, when we can share the passion and LOVE that goes into the preparation...
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Mamma Agata and Papa Salvatore 50th Wedding Anniversary
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Condé Nast Traveller
UK June 2007
Mamma Agata - the perfect place where to eat well and to learn how to cook you can
enrol for a morning cookery class with Mamma Agata.
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