In a very distant time in food (but not only) the delivery man he was a fundamental figure. Think of the milk: there was no refrigerator and the little man guaranteed that for breakfast time families had fresh milk on the table.

Then habits changed and in 2014 a CareerCast.com ranking gave it for one of 200 endangered jobs. Back then it was unknown what the next boom would be food delivery, from which emerged the new figure of the rider, an evolution 2.0 of the deliveryman, who resembles us. But that's not the same thing.

By bellboys here we mean people who work mainly for a shop or several stores, do chores and make deliveries, moving mostly in the same neighborhood.
Today, thanks to the extraordinary situation we are experiencing because of Covid, all habits have changed (especially when it comes to shopping), and even the old-fashioned factotum is back in vogue. And from an endangered profession, it has become one of the most requested professions of the last month.

In the space of a few weeks, in fact, greengrocers, dairies, small grocery stores and bakers organized themselves to deliver home, supplying the families in their area with fresh food, even every day.

And then there are the cuddle foods, those who miss the most. Who takes care of it? Many people have organized themselves at home to bake brioches, focaccias, pastries for the whole family … yet there are some flavors strictly connected to pleasant habits and moments of relaxation, which are practically irreplaceable.

In the big cities some historical brands they organized themselves not to miss that cuddle, showing off home solutions and exquisitely old style.

The chocolate Factory

Backpacks, centenary boutique-chocolat in Milan, went to brush up on the intuition of grandmother Olga, who saved everyone's work during the Second World War.

Thus, with the reopening of the two stores, on May 4, in addition to the take away, Zaini organized itself for the delivery of pralines and chocolates, but also of chocolate cakes, fresh fruit dipped in chocolate, fruit and chocolate tartlets, mini muffins, cannons, assorted baskets and even hot or cold drinks.

This is also called delivery, but it recalls in all respects the style of the Zaini shops, made of period furniture, sumptuous chandeliers and a high counter to taste the small local delicacies served on porcelain and crystal glasses.

In fact, the delivery is the task of the company bellboy or better, the people who were normally directly behind the high counter deal directly with it. The employees, in fact, all collaborate thus keeping the workplace, pending the safe opening. The service is reserved for areas close to the shop. For all the others it is of course possible to take advantage of the take away.

What restaurants do in Milan

Who wants to mondeghili is creamed cod you can contact Røst.

The rustic-innovative Porta Venezia restaurant delivers ready-made meals, wines, gastronomy products and a box of ingredients to make the restaurant's recipes at home. The guys in the restaurant get theirs electric scooter and deliver the food in a sealed bag.

For chic dishes that evoke distant atmospheres are there Mu Dimsum, Cittamani is Spica.

They have developed special menus for take-away and even in these three cases the staff of the three restaurants take care of the delivery. The dishes, they assure, are cared for with the love and care of all time.

In other cities

TO turin at the service Breakfast in the city center he thinks about it Vergano coffee.

"We know that breakfast or coffee at the bar is a ritual for many Italians and we believe it is one of the habits that are most lacking in this moment of quarantine" he says Carolina Vergnano. "For this reason, in compliance with the safety standards provided for by law, we thought of activating this home service that could, even if in a small way, give a signal of comfort and normality". To ensure it is un'apecar, a real Coffee Shop on three wheels is ready to deliver espresso, cappuccinos, bicerin and brioche. And for those who have run out of stocks, you can also buy 100% Arabica ground coffee in a can!
Also in this case, the baristas of Caffè Vergano take care of the service.

TO Coriano, on the Romagna Riviera, there is another interesting activity. It is that of SP.accio the high level pizza restaurant born in San Patrigano. They are pioneers in the baking with mother yeast and now they are back to kneading, baking to make pizzas, hamburgers, delicious sandwiches, wines and craft beers at home, thanks to the delivery service (it is also possible to take away) cured, in accordance with the current legislation, in all passages by the guys who work in the club.

Barbara Roncarolo
May 2020