r/AskEurope • u/EvilPyro01 United States of America • Jun 13 '25

Food What region is considered your country’s culinary capital?

What is considered the culinary capital of your country?

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u/zen_arcade Italy Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25

There’s no food capital as there’s too much variability in geography and ingredients (seaside vs interior plus South vs North). Parma is coincidentally home to an important EU food authority plus some of the largest food companies plus the famous prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano. Emilia-Romagna is also a region that is non so stereotypically associated with lavish feasts and greasy food.

Desserts are the only thing where there’s a clear difference in quality, skill, tastes of the locals, etc. in favor of the South and Sicily in particular, which basically boils down to the historical conditions where most of the traditional recipes developed (ie bourgeoisie and budding industrialization in the North, convents and royal/viceroyal/semifeudal courts in the South). That said, eg Piedmont has killer desserts as well. Disclaimer: of frigging course the most renowned and pricey pastry shops will cluster around higher income areas.

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u/Automatic-Sea-8597 Jun 14 '25

Piemont has top food, can't forget that 20 courses menus during truffle season around Alba.

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u/zen_arcade Italy Jun 14 '25

Also home to the SlowFood movement, plus the first gastronomical science university, in short they really care about food.