Dinner with the gods of Olympus:
inside the Valley of the Temples
from Agrigento
Of Stefano Passaquindici
Echoes of past stories, enterprises handed down by memory for centuries, ancient monuments that tower over the landscape, testimonies of a past greatness, August 13th the Valley of the Templesone of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, hosts, in its splendid setting, a unique event that combines culture with Sicilian gastronomic tradition: “Fine Dining under the Stars”.
At Diodoros’ house, an architect’s house brought back to life and to the local and international community, near the Temple of Concordia, the tasting evening organized in collaboration between the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples and the Moro Restaurant of Monza takes place. An evening that represents an extraordinary opportunity to celebrate the rich Sicilian culinary heritage of Greek origin in a unique setting. The event was born with the intention of enhancing the naturalistic, cultural and landscape heritage of the Valley, promoting a synergy between archaeology, nature, culture and gastronomy, creating an engaging experience for visitors. The purpose of the event is to enhance the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples and at the same time promote a model of excellence in the management of cultural heritage.
An evening that is dedicated to the atmosphere, flavors and aromas of Ancient Greece and is a tribute to the culinary traditions of the territory and its thousand-year-old gastronomic history. A unique event to immerse yourself in Greek culture, enjoying an evening dedicated to good food, history and conviviality.
All this is set in the atmosphere of the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples, one of the most fascinating and important archaeological sites in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and located in Agrigento, the park has a series of Doric temples that with their imposing columns and their panoramic position, offer an immersive experience in history and natural beauty, admiring the ruins of the temples of Juno, Concordia, Hercules and recognizing in them the art and ingenuity of the ancient Greeks.
The Banquet of the Gods
There is no nectar and ambrosia set at the table but at “Fine Dining Sotto Le Stelle” there are unique dishes created by the chefs Salvatore and Vincenzo Butticè: every dish tells a story and every flavor is a tribute to the traditions of Sicily. Not just a dinner, but a journey through taste and flavors where culinary art and art, culture and the beauty of the Sicilian territory are found side by side. Thanks to the chefs who immerse the guest in the times of ancient Greece with the reworking of authentic recipes from the cuisine of classical times, offering a series of dishes that evoke the myths and legends of mythology. , politics and art. Compelling names that recall mythological themes, from Aphrodite’s kiss to Poseidon’s banquet, passing through Ulysses, Dionysus and the Banquet of the Gods, all favoring fresh foods and Sicilian preparations, recreating a varied ancient diet that included bread, olive oil (which was not only food but also used for medicinal, cosmetic and religious purposes), wine, fish, seafood, a symbol of abundance and culinary refinement, occasionally meat, legumes, fruit and vegetables, as well as specialties such as eels from Lake Copais and wine, a fine drink used during the Symposium, the convivial ceremony that began after dinner and in which philosophy, politics and art were discussed. At dinner the portions were larger than at lunch and at the end of the meal desserts were often served made with flour, dried or fresh fruit and honey, not only a pleasure for the palate for the ancient Greeks, but also a cultural and ritual significance, and were often in fact associated with holidays and religious celebrations.
Diodoros House
The guest of the evening is Casa Diodoros (formerly known as Casa Barbadoro), a historic structure located within the Park of the Valley of the Temples that has recently been renovated, changing its name, and becoming a cultural and gastronomic center of excellence within the Diodoros structure, dedicated to Diodoro Siculo, famous for his work “Bibliotheca historica”. At Casa Diodoros the Sicilian culinary tradition is celebrated in a context of great historical and artistic value: in fact, the structure hosts events of various kinds, from gastronomy to art, creating a bridge between the different cultural expressions of Sicily, enhancing local excellence and promoting the territory and its thousand-year history.
Info and reservations
www.ilmororistorante.it