We’re exploring one of the rarest, funkiest, sought-after cookbook series, Italy in Bocca. Bound in cardboard and printed on oatmeal paper, each book covers a different region of Italy and is full of forgotten recipes, strange folklore, and stunningly beautiful hand-painted art and are more spell-book then cook-book.
Join us June 27th as we discuss the origin of the In Bocca books, share some wild recipes like an ancient Roman vermouth made of wormwood that helps you forget how much you over-ate, and go on the hunt for the origin of a pasta with a very funky, disco past. We’ll be hosting with some celebrity chefs who will be sharing their cooking secrets, and even raffling away prizes, including one of these rare books, for a lucky viewer.
Take note: we are officially partnering with the NY Food Bank and donating a portion of ticket sales to help those in need. Every ticket bought feeds 50 people. That’s something we can all celebrate, and thank you for contribution.
Gastro Obscura's mission is to inspire wonder and curiosity about the world through food and drink. Its articles, videos, and guides explore what food and drink reveal about the places where they’re made and the people who make them. And in partnership with chefs, historians, and other experts, Gastro Obscura helps travelers and curious people experience culinary wonders firsthand.
This online experience is part of Atlas Obscura’s Wonder From Home initiative. At Atlas Obscura, our mission has always been to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share. Now, more than ever, there’s a need to stay connected—not only to our sense of wonder, but to each other. Follow and share the hashtag #wonderfromhome for inspiring stories, more incredible online experiences, and live streams with the Atlas Obscura community.
Peter Boggia and Roberto Serrini started collecting rare and funky cookbooks when other kids were collecting comic books. Born in Queens, NY, they grew up surrounded by the world’s greatest food, so it’s no wonder they dedicated their life to travel and culture, often using these strange tomes as guidebooks into a country's past.
The In Bocca series is special to Peter and Roberto and has brought them to Italy many times, seeking to find the origin of some very esoteric and delicious dishes. At home in New York the two often throw “secret supper clubs” where they source the absolute best ingredients from NYC coveted specialty markets, preparing wild dishes back in their Brooklyn loft for a select group of adventurous guests. While neither are professional chefs (Peter is a motorcycle mechanic, and Roberto is a travel writer/filmmaker), they spend most of their energy and passion exploring food that has been lost to time, and bringing these rare tastes from obscure books back to life.
