While
adventuring through Sicily, food was one of the most integral parts of our
experience! Food in every culture is the sustenance of life; it characterizes
regions and brings together communities from different places. While in Ortigia my classmates and I
spent a large portion of our time perambulating the town individually or in
small groups.However, around meal times we would meet in the main square and
find a place to eat together. Each day was different, and each experience was
unique and marvelous.
The
most memorable meal while on the trip was dinner at a restaurant called Dionisio.The evening began when everyone
congregated in the largest room in the hotel.The night was young and the fresh
ocean air was cool and crisp, it was the perfect evening! After searching for roughly 30 minutes
and being very indecisive we turned down a street and ran into one of our
professors.I asked for her to recommend a place to eat in the vicinity.She
put her hand to her chin and adopted a pensive countenance then asked if we
wanted to find a place near where we were or a bit further.Everyone was hungry
so we ask for a recommendation nearby.She said the place around the corner was
alright and we might enjoy it.We turned down a small street, no wider than
four or five feet.Everything looked closed, until we passed a small restaurant
toward the end of the street. The smell of delicious food slowly drowned our
senses.Peeking in through a window we saw dimly lit tables in the center and
on the right. To the left was a large shelf packed with wine from the top to
the bottom. We then began to mull over the menu. As we were contemplating
weather or not to go in, a man stepped out and asked if we had any questions.
After
deliberating among ourselves we decided that this was the place to be! The
gentleman who initially stepped out to answer any question turned out to be the
head Chef and owner of the establishment; he introduced himself as Gabrielle. When
talking to him about the menu he described each platter exquisitely and with
such passion! Everything sounded enticing. We ordered a variety of dishes. The diversity
of food on the table was unparalleled to most meals.
It
was late when we arrived; most people in the restaurant were finishing their
meals.After twenty minutes we were the only guests there As the dinner
progressed we began talking with Gabriele. It was “small talk” at first, however curiosity was gnawing at my core.I just had to
ask why he became a chef, so I did. I cannot reiterate word-for-word his
response, but it was one of the most inspiring responses to that question that
I have ever received. Gabrielle began by telling us which chefs he studied
under, even those of us unfamiliar with culinary world could recognizable those
names. For eight years he travelled all around the world pursuing what he
loved. Prior to cooking Gabrielle was in Pharmaceuticals. He said the work he
did killed his mind, but when he would cook his mind was set free. Cooking was
invigorating and kept his mind -the most vital part of his body- fresh.
Everyone
at the dining table took these words to heart. We are all at points in our life
where we are deciding what path to take. It’s a momentous and difficult
decision, but listening to Gabrielle’s advice reaffirmed our beliefs in doing
what you’re passionate about, even if it doesn’t pay the bills at first.
The
food was amazing but what made the night even more memorable was the
conversation. The exchange of life stories and culture gave us a unique idea of
what it is to be Sicilian. The kindness, compassion and generosity we
experienced demonstrated Sicilian culture in its rawest form.
~ Rosa Loveszy
