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On the occasion of the closing of Bracigliano Christmas, the Khorakhané Association, together with the Council of the Associations of the Municipality of Bracigliano, presents the book by Salvatore De Caro “Pizzaiolo non per caso” (D&P editors). The appointment is scheduled for next Monday 9 January, at 7 pm, at Palazzo De Simone. Not a simple meeting, but a real celebration of the art of ancient crafts, of typical products of excellence and of those who manage to enhance them, which will be attended by the mayor of Bracigliano, Gianni Iuliano, the deputy mayor with responsibility for the protection of typicality, Ferdinando Albano, the director of Gal Terra è Vita, Francesco Gioia, with the introduction of Patrizia Botta, councilor for events and exhibitions of the Municipality of Bracigliano. “Braciglianese pride, translated into the table, which from cherries to chestnuts, from honey to bread, up to oil, also transfers to pizza. From flour to flour, a primacy that characterizes us, of which we are proud” – this is what the mayor Iuliano affirms in renewing the invitation to participate. With the preface by the gastronomic journalist, Alfonso Sarno, the volume tells the story of a pizza maker “not by chance”, which has lasted for over 30 years. An autobiographical book that is also the story of a family tradition, in the description of the strong, symbiotic bond with his paternal grandfather Giuseppe, his firm point of reference and undisputed master of life, as well as a skilled handler of doughs and sourdoughs. Pages that are read with interest and that make the reader participate – almost directly – in the daily life of De Caro, in the Bracigliano of the 80s, from his work experiences in Modena, to the battle to be able to live his story of love with Silvana, whom he will later marry and with whom he will share private and business in the pizzeria in Mercato San Severino. An autobiography of the soul. Nice to find the words that he dedicated to Father Severino Pisacane, a minor friar native of Tramonti, a religious of great spirituality, among other things, chosen by Roberto Rossellini to participate in the dramatic film “Francesco, jester of God”. In him, De Caro finds a second father who directs him in his choices and, although several years have passed since the religious’s death, his affection and his gratitude remain vivid.
The book closes with a series of recipes on the menu of “L’Arte della pizza da Salvatore”, the restaurant in Mercato San Severino which has become the favorite destination for those who love traditional cuisine accompanied by expertly prepared dishes, pizzas and panuozzi , between flair and innovation. “I learned the art of sourdough bread-making from my grandfather Giuseppe, an excellent baker, who as early as 1965 in his shop sold, in addition to different types of bread, pizzas by the slice with tomato and oregano. It was immediately amazement: the inhabitants of the town of Bracigliano had never seen one before. They were snapped up right away! At the age of 11, in my spare time, I helped my grandfather. What a fantastic thing it was to play and knead with flour! I decided that this would be my job when I grew up and I began to follow the teachings handed down, with long devotion and hard work, as I had seen him do for years. I carried on my grandfather’s art of pizza in my native country and then discovered northern Italy. I worked for ten years at the most renowned restaurants. Many experiences and many sacrifices have served to make my dream come true: to return to the south to open my own pizzeria. It was 2003 when I opened my restaurant. Here, “in my kingdom”, for about twenty years, you can find the fruits of my land, my experience and my family: the Vien Mò pizza, the panuozzo, the scupptitiat chicken and the mallone with Bracigliano mascuotto. Everything is worked with tenacity, care and dedication, to faithfully reproduce the same ancient flavours”.
“Pizzaiolo not by chance”: the presentation of Salvatore De Caro’s book in Bracigliano