Tortellini Makes the World Better

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The more I get to know Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore, the more I realise that their brains, their eyes, and their vibe are like a hybrid microscope-telescope focusing on the micro and the macro at the same time and preternaturally understanding how both work together. Take Tortellante, the local Modena tortellini-focused alternative education program that the duo founded for special needs kids, in particular their son Charlie. Il Tortellante came out of need and desire for a hands-own skill option to foster independence post high school.

Modena is known for its rezdore, the gold makers, the women of the community who come together to make traditional dishes with simple ingredients. Though the rezdore life is slowly disappearing, it is still very important to Modena. Heritage and innovation are always two complementary themes for Bottura and Gilmore , so reaching out to the rezdore was the next logical step. Soon Charlie and his friends began learning the pasta making tradition and the art tortellini evolved into a multi-age interactive community program, where people can come together to share a tradition, or simply come together.

Legend says that the tortellino shape is modelled after Venus’s belly button.

Community is a big part of Bottura’s vibe and so is food (obviously), which is why everything they do revolves around some kind of a kitchen- it could be a pasta lab like Tortellante, a refrigerator in Casa Maria Luigia, a community table, a show kitchen, and even the Botturas’ home kitchen during Kitchen Quarantine. It’s an equaliser, where everyone feels comfortable. But what after the meal? Bottura wants you and the rest of the world to change your attitude towards food waste. In 2015, he started with a soup kitchen in Milan which has now spawned into Food for Soul, a global network (eight kitchens and social tables around the world) that focuses on feeding and nourishing local communities through all while fighting food waste.

In this episode, Lara and I talk about Tortellante and Food for Soul, social initiatives and community.