Book tip of the week: 200 x Italy

The XXL cooking and baking school
© EMF / Klara&Ida
© EMF / Klara&Ida
13. April 2025

 | Editorial team

“200 x Italy – The XXL Cooking and Baking School” is a real feast for all lovers of Italian cuisine. This set of two comprehensive cookery and baking books takes us on a culinary journey across Italy – from the Alps to Sicily. With over 200 authentic recipes and numerous background stories, it invites you to experience the diversity and tradition of Italian cuisine directly in your own kitchen.

We are particularly impressed by the range of recipes, which really doesn’t leave any area out. From classic antipasti to hearty main courses such as risotto alla milanese or arancini to sweet temptations such as torta della nonna and amaretti, there is something for every taste. The clear instructions make cooking easy even for beginners, while experienced amateur cooks will be inspired by the variety of dishes to try something new.

The lovingly designed reports, anecdotes and atmospheric photographs are a highlight of the book. They manage to perfectly capture the charm and joie de vivre of Italy and convey a feeling of dolce vita that goes beyond the mere preparation of the recipes. The stories about traditional festivals and regional specialties make the book more than just a collection of recipes – it is a declaration of love to Italian cuisine and culture.

Info:
Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7459-2288-2
640 pages

Our conclusion

“200 x Italy - The XXL Cooking and Baking School” is an inspiring collection of recipes and stories that celebrates Mediterranean flavors and the joy of cooking. It is an indispensable work for anyone who wants to discover and enjoy Italian cuisine in all its diversity. Perfect as a gift - or for your own kitchen to bring a piece of Italy into your home. Buon appetito!

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© EMF / Klara&Ida

Book tip: HADN – The Buckwheat Cookbook

A local supergrain that bridges tradition, modernity and the future

Buckwheat, affectionately known as ‘Hadn’ in Southern Carinthia, is one of those products that quietly disappeared – and is now making a natural comeback. HADN – The Buckwheat Cookbook is dedicated to this almost forgotten powerhouse grain with remarkable dedication: rooted in culinary, cultural and regional traditions.

Together with the Klopeiner See – South Carinthia – Lavant Valley tourism region, food expert and editor cookingCatrin (Catrin Ferrari-Brunnenfeld) embarks on a journey to the roots of Carinthian ‘Hadn’. The book combines over 55 creative sweet and savoury recipes with in-depth background knowledge – from cultivation and history to its modern-day significance as a gluten-free, nutrient-rich superfood. Buckwheat is not only presented as flour, but also as semolina or rice: given a modern twist, suitable for everyday use and surprisingly versatile.

INFO
HADN – The Buckwheat Cookbook
Authors: Catrin Ferrari-Brunnenfeld (cookingCatrin)
Publisher: Klopeiner See Tourism Region – Southern Carinthia – Lavant Valley / KSL Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Length: 180 pages
ISBN: 978-3-200-09933-3
Price: €24.90
Publication date: September 2025

The Personal Touch

Italian rituals, as told by the people behind Portrait Hotels

With its new ongoing editorial series ‘The Personal Touch’, Portrait Hotels turns its attention to the individuals who shape the character of its properties in Milan, Florence and Rome: hosts, concierges, chefs, bartenders and members of the lifestyle team, whose stories, rituals and local perspectives become part of the Portrait Experience.

The focus is on personal insights, everyday Italian culture and those small gestures that turn a stay into more than just a trip. Rather than simply showcasing places, the series tells the stories of the people, memories and traditions that define the Italian way of life.

George Papazacharias at Restaurant Ikarus

The Delta Effect reaches Hangar-7

In July 2026, George Papazacharias, head chef at the acclaimed Delta restaurant in Athens, will bring his interpretation of modern Greek cuisine to Salzburg. At Restaurant Ikarus in Hangar-7, he will demonstrate why, in culinary terms, Greece has long been more than just moussaka, souvlaki and holiday memories, and how radically contemporary local produce can taste.

quick & dirty
Twice as good - 2 books in a set: over 200 recipes and reports from South Tyrol to Sicily © EMF/Klara&Ida
Book tip of the week: 200 x Italy

“200 x Italy – The XXL Cooking and Baking School” is a real feast for all lovers of Italian cuisine. This set of two comprehensive cookery and baking books takes us on a culinary journey across Italy – from the Alps to Sicily. With over 200 authentic recipes and numerous background stories, it invites you to experience the diversity and tradition of Italian cuisine directly in your own kitchen.

We are particularly impressed by the range of recipes, which really doesn’t leave any area out. From classic antipasti to hearty main courses such as risotto alla milanese or arancini to sweet temptations such as torta della nonna and amaretti, there is something for every taste. The clear instructions make cooking easy even for beginners, while experienced amateur cooks will be inspired by the variety of dishes to try something new.

The lovingly designed reports, anecdotes and atmospheric photographs are a highlight of the book. They manage to perfectly capture the charm and joie de vivre of Italy and convey a feeling of dolce vita that goes beyond the mere preparation of the recipes. The stories about traditional festivals and regional specialties make the book more than just a collection of recipes – it is a declaration of love to Italian cuisine and culture.

Info:
Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
ISBN 978-3-7459-2288-2
640 pages