In New York City, the Academy hosted an event to launch Mona Talbott’s new book, Zuppe, and to celebrate the fifth year of the Rome Sustainable Food Project, (RSFP) a program that has stirred a delicious revolution in institutional cooking by providing organic, local, sustainable meals at the American Academy in Rome.
A lively group of Academy friends, Fellows, Residents, and Trustees mingled with RSFP aficionados, event sponsors, and editors from food and wine publications on Wednesday 28 March to celebrate the publication of Zuppe: Soups from the Kitchen of the American Academy in Rome by RSFP founding chef Mona Talbott and photographer Annie Schlechter. Published by the Little Bookroom, Zuppe is the second in a series of single-subject cookbooks inspired by Talbott’s simple yet sophisticated recipes.
Over 150 people feasted on soups made by Talbott especially for the occasion – two hearty and delicious recipes (minestra di ceci con zucca e faro and zuppe di lenticchie Bernabei e spinaci con olio santo), appropriate harbingers of spring. Guests were welcomed by Academy President Adele Chatfield-Taylor, FAAR'84, who thanked Alice Waters for master-minding and jump-starting the RSFP in 2007, and recruiting Talbott to be its founding chef. “Since then, we’ve never looked back,” Chatfield-Taylor said. After acknowledging the supporters who have helped the project thrive since its launch, she emphasized the importance of the RSFP. “Because our community is a collection of headstrong individuals, who generally work alone, and who come together only at the table at first, the food matters,” she said. “The food is what gets them there and what gets them to talk, which is when the ideas fly and the collection of people become a community.”
Both Talbott and Schlechter also gave remarks and signed copies of Zuppe and Biscotti, the first book from the series. The event featured a “bookstore” where guests were able to become members of the RSFP Kitchen Cabinet, and purchase copies of the books, RSFP aprons, and Academy tote bags, with proceeds supporting the RSFP. Sponsors included Gustiamo, Sokolin Wine Merchants, and Sullivan Street Bakery.
Our sincere thanks to all of the people and sponsors who contributed to the event’s success!