JULY 2024 – Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast embraces La Dieta Mediterranea championing the region of Cilento, renowned internationally and recognised by UNESCO World Heritage. Led by the hotel’s Executive Chef Armando Aristarco, the initiative embodies the key tenets of the Mediterranean Diet with a “meet the makers” ethos. In 1991, the Parco Nazionale del Cilento and Vallo di Diano were inaugurated to unify all the coastal and mountain villages to preserve their historical evolution. Today Caruso partners with the protected national park, utilizing their network, knowledge, and techniques to perpetuate its most authentic traditions that pay homage to the concept of La Dieta Mediterranea, culminating in the iconic Agorà event on the 15th of September with producers showcasing their culinary tradition.

LA DIETA MEDITERRANEA: A SPECTACLE FOR THE SENSES

A “meet the makers” ethos is at the heart of this year’s programme with local ingredients intricately interwoven within Caruso’s gastronomic ecosystem, delivering authentic flavour. From June to September, Caruso will host themed talks, gastronomic performances, and festivities bringing Cilento and its unique ingredients into the hotel grounds. These events are inspired by ancient Greek tradition, such as the Ditirambo Nights where, traditionally, people would gather in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine and pleasure.

A monthly agora, meaning marketplace in ancient Greek, will take place gathering local producers in Caruso’s Wagner gardens to shine a spotlight on techniques, crafts and skills from the finest Cilento artisans. These agoras, entitled Ditirambo Nights, feature names such as Marcos Rizzo, famous for his olive oil; Enza Russo, known for his drying and processing of the white figs of Ogliastro Cilento; and fisherman Donatello Marino who focuses on the preservation of the menaica anchovies. The Caruso Grill transforms into an arena for discussion which promises to guarantee both surprise and education into La Dieta Mediterranea, ending with a live orchestral percussion and dancing into the night.

The most anticipated event, Agora's Round Table, will take place on 15th September with a panel discussion featuring leading experts in the fields of science and lifestyle who will explain how diet can influence psychophysical well-being. The evening continues with an agora of produce from the mountains of Cilento to the fishermen’s village of Agropoli, offering insights on their specialisation with tastings ranging from saffron and pomegranate to traditional dishes such as the fusilli cilentani, a typical pasta - a chance to be even closer to the land and people who keep Cilento’s culinary traditions and food provenance alive.

CARUSO, THE STAGE OF FLAVOURS

La Dieta Mediterranea is intricately woven into every aspect of the Caruso experience. A short distance from the hotel’s famed infinity pool is Caruso Grill, ideal for relaxing lunches and dinners sampling great Neapolitan classics as curated by Chef Armando Aristarco with ingredients found within eye distance of the hotel. For breakfast, guests can taste one of the oldest Campanian cured meats or Paestum’s Pirano, considered one of the best cheeses in the world. For aperitif, Bar Manager Tommaso Mansi makes use of the hotel’s expansive herb and fruit gardens to create cocktail classics such as the Gimlet, made with 'sfusato amalfitano', perfectly encapsulating the flavours of the Amalfi Coast in a single glass. Dinner blends products from coast and mountain, such as Controne beans by Michele Ferrante, also known as the philosophical farmer for his special technique of harvesting, to the creamy and full-bodied hazelnut IGP from Giffoni Valle Piana for the cakes.

As Armando Aristarco says: “I don’t use the olive oil of Azienda Agricola Rizzo but the oil of Marco, I don’t choose the tomatoes of Azienda Agricola Vastola, but the tomatoes of Franco. This allows us to create a connection with the producers and to turn a partnership into something more precious to enter their philosophy and traditions and to get to know the area itself.”

For a moment of harmony, the Caruso Spa offers a menu of naturally crafted exclusive skincare products such as Paestum, crafted using rich buffalo milk and herbal teas sourced from Gioi Cilento - to be enjoyed whilst surrounded by the aromas of the Mediterranean.

Beyond the 11th-century hotel walls, Caruso hosts experiences to connect with nature, such as guided walks along Le Formichelle trail from Ravello to Amalfi as well as a magic Aprea Gozzo boat tour for a picturesque journey through the enchanting protected Bay of Ieranto.

Chef Aristarco’s interpretation manifests itself throughout the hotel experience, from celebratory gatherings around a table with friends and family to honouring Mediterranean gastronomy, offering an immersion into local culture. Caruso embraces a series of healthy practices in harmony with one’s natural surroundings, all the while improving one’s physical and mental well-being.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For high res images of Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast, please follow the link here

For Belmond Legends images by Letizia Le Fur, please follow the link here