On April 23rd, the University of Gastronomic Sciences hosted an event at the Academic Tables in collaboration with LIFE, a company specializing in nuts and dried, dehydrated fruit sourced from the finest raw materials in the Italian and international markets. This meeting focused on our university’s mission to merge gastronomic education with real practices to promote sustainability and a healthy lifestyle.
The collaboration with LIFE was not merely a culinary event but an effective demonstration of our shared values and objectives. In the welcoming and informal setting of our university cafeteria, the Academic Tables, the lunch offered opportunities for discussion, learning, and appreciation of food prepared with consideration for the environment and nutrition, promoting a sense of community and shared purpose.
The Academic Tables, a fundamental element in the daily life of UNISG students, are not just a cafeteria but embody our approach and philosophy towards food – a mindful approach to its origins, preparation methods, and the impact this process has on our environment.
The menu of the day centered on ingredients from LIFE’s “Valore al Territorio” line, a selection of fruits that celebrates the rich Italian agricultural heritage. Some excellences included the Piemonte IGP hazelnuts, a symbol of the Piedmont region.
Each dish was thoughtfully prepared with ingredients – branded by Life – from quality productions that support local farmers and biodiversity. The artisanally produced pasta, in a delicate balance of tradition and innovation, was dressed with celery and almond pesto, while the salmon trout fillet was wrapped in a crust of hazelnuts and flavored bread.
The side dishes and vegetable-based dishes also aligned with this philosophy.
The chickpea and chestnut hummus with aromatic croutons, along with the radicchio flan accompanied by gorgonzola cream and a cascade of pine nuts, represented a delicious and innovative proposal that emphasized the diversity and richness of Italian agriculture.
In summary, the connecting thread of the Life-branded menu was always the taste and excellence of Italian products, accompanied by creativity in the kitchen.
The gamble of the collaboration between Life and UNISG was won at the table: students and university staff were able to appreciate and discover a rich, healthy menu linked to sustainable practices. This opportunity allowed everyone to nourish themselves with quality products rich in flavor and a product of a significant agricultural tradition of our Italian territory.