Tag: Churchill

It is on sale at Sale & Pepe in July – Neapolitan Churchill in pectore – Italian Cuisine

It is on sale at Sale & Pepe in July - Neapolitan Churchill in pectore


“Christmas 1948. With many good wishes. Pinuccia ". When I buy a used book I always have the curiosity to know who it belonged to or who was the person who gave it. In my case I will never know who Pinuccia was but surely the owner of the book was a history buff. Yes, because unwittingly, one day a few years ago, to deceive the wait for a train in considerable delay, I entered a small book store that was out of business inside the Termini Station and my eye has fallen on some volumes of the work The Second World War, written by Winston Churchill between 1946 and 1952.

The four books I had on my hands were only a part of those published, but they were too greedy to leave them on the library counter, also because they were all first editions of the work printed in Italy by Arnoldo Mondadori: 1948, 1949 and 1950.

So from Rome to Milan, so from Pinuccia's hands to mine. And in mine an unedited version of the statesman, that of a prolific nonfiction writer and Nobel prize for literature in 1953 "for his mastery of the historical and biographical description".

Churchill liked to write and also to paint but two other things attracted her: Italy and her food. In 1944 he was often a guest at Naples by General Maitland Wilson, supreme commander of the allied forces in the Mediterranean, who carried him with the admiral's spear to Ischia, Procida, Capri and Sorrento. The headquarters of the command was in Villa Rivalta, a splendid home from the late 1800s, requisitioned in 1943, after the armistice, by the English command. Located in the upper part of Posillipo, it enjoyed a large terrace and a magnificent view, where it is said that the English statesman enjoyed the sunset with his cigar in his mouth.

But it was not only the sunset that enchanted the prime minister, but also the Neapolitan cuisine, of which he especially loved the eggplant parmesan and macaroni alla puttanesca seasoned with oil, tomato, garlic, capers, Gaeta olives and parsley. At Villa Rivalta on 12 August 1944 there was also a secret meeting between the English statesman and General Tito, which ended with canapes stuffed with Neapolitan salami, homemade fusilli topped with fried tomato and eggplant, mackerel fillets with vinegar and oregano and baked apples, all washed down with Pozzuoli white wine.

And the parmesan? He did not eat it that day, but all the other times he visited Villa Rivalta, enjoying it alone. Maybe at sunset with the sea in front. Maybe already thinking about writing the history of the Second World War.

Laura Maragliano, director of Sale & Pepe
July 2020

In London you can experience the favorite luxuries of Winston Churchill – Italian Cuisine

In London you can experience the favorite luxuries of Winston Churchill


Between Champagne, cigars and chocolate, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park celebrates the distinguished British Prime Minister and his peculiar habits with the special package "Stay like Sir Winston Churchill"

The habits, the idioms, the sometimes very original found of Winston Churchill they are indelibly written there, halfway between history and legend. Certainly the British politician, for over a decade as British Prime Minister, has been a character capable of leaving an indelible mark on the collective imagination of his United Kingdom, of course, but not only: and that is why the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, a luxurious 5-star hotel in the heart of London inaugurated in 1902, has decided to celebrate its complete reopening after the recent restoration with a special package of style and elegance with a pinch of healthy madness, christened precisely "Stay like Sir Winston Churchill".

Great little rituals

During his long institutional career, the British Prime Minister has been a guest of the hotel more and more times, during delicate periods such as the World War II, but also on much less solemn occasions, such as during the renovation and decoration of his private residence. His usual requests inspired the special package developed by the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park: in addition to a English Breakfast complete for two people, guests will also receive a bottle of Champagne Pol Roger, Sir Churchill's favorite, and a vintage photograph of the politician at the hotel entrance. Moreover, at the counter of the Mandarin Bar, they can taste the special cocktail Vices & Virtues: a tribute to one of the famous phrases that the politician spoke about his colleague Stafford Cripps, "He has all the virtues that I don't like and no vice I admire".

Between cigars, cakes and chocolate

But good Churchill was also well known for his excessive passion for i quality cigars, that guests will have the opportunity to buy directly inside the structure. Not only. The package, available until December with a price per double room starting from 690 pounds, also includes two specials chocolate cigars, in memory of a curious episode that saw the Prime Minister offer two cigars to the waiters in room service in exchange for an early delivery of his breakfast. The "Stay like Sir Winston Churchill" initiative is part of a wider celebration of the history of the luxurious hotel, which in addition to a list of cocktails dedicated to the great characters of the twentieth century also includes a special appointment with the afternoon tea inspired by the 20s: in the hotel tearoom, guests can sample exquisite cakes from around the world, such as the French Religieuse, the English Banoffee and the Russian Coconut Pavlova, toasting with a glass of Champagne and listening to jazz music.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) & his wife Clementine (1885 – 1977) sit together under a large painting of their home at Chartwell, near Westerham, Kent, England, 1947. Church had been Britain's Prime Minister during World War II (unit 1945), and again in 1951 – 1955. Churchill wears a pair of monogrammed slippers on his feet. (Photo by William Sumits / The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty Images)

Proudly powered by WordPress

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Click here to read more information about data collection for ads personalisation

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Read more about data collection for ads personalisation our in our Cookies Policy page

Close