Gnocchi at the Theatre!

Once a year the local arts festival, the BALDOfestival, moves in and transforms my home into a theatre - and a michelin spangled kitchen. It's marvellous! All I have to say is "I do", when they ask if I like the idea of hosting one of their Home Theatre dates; and then THEY come in and "DO" everything else. 

This is the fifth year I've had the pleasure of hosting a "Teatro in Villa" evening. It always feels great to have the house full and vibrant with interesting guests.

The evening begins with a theatrical performance. Last night two professional actors and teachers of drama, Sabrina Modenini and Andrea De Manincor staged "Il Giallo dell'Amore" (The Thriller of Love). Well, at least the "love" bit was in theme with Saint Valentine's Day! 

While the performance was being played to an audience of fifty, in the salone upstairs ....

The team of volunteers who help organise the festival events had taken over the kitchen and they were preparing dinner, which would be served after the performance. And, it wasn't any old pasta dish they were whipping up either. They were making potato gnocchi, FROM SCRATCH! Enough for 60 people!!!

There were trays of prepared gnocchi, waiting to be cooked, occupying every surface in the kitchen - even in the fireplace. Umberto was grateful to find a corner to park himself and his iPad. He'd already done his bit as Chief Carrot Peeler and Preparer of Crudités. 

The audience began to arrive ...

And take their seats ...

And while the performance was in progress ...

This amazing team of people worked together like a well-oiled precision machine, to transform 30kg of potatoes and 10kg of flour into the most exquisite gnocchi. 

It was another wonderful evening. We're very lucky in this rural area to be able to benefit from the arts and cultural events organised by the Baldofestival.

Umberto took the invasion of his space pretty much in his stride; but when things became a little too chaotic he was grateful to be able to retire into the predictable "tranquility" of his favourite cartoons. 

This Blog is pro-autism.

Thank you, Sallyx