Saint André de la Roche has decided to celebrate music next Saturday, but also Niçoise cuisine with numerous stalls offering the best of local products and specialties. At 6 p.m., after the concert dedicated to children, forty of them, in two groups of twenty, will head into the kitchen for a gourmet workshop.
Indeed, they will design and assemble their “Pan Frucha,” a fruity version of the famous and unparalleled Niçoise “Pan Bagnat.” Behind this creation are two friends: a restaurant chef, Daniel Silvetti, and a Niçoise cuisine enthusiast, Franck Viano. It might seem like a beautiful story, but it hasn’t been easy to convey the origin and purpose of this recipe, as confirmed by Franck Viano, who will give the two lessons on Saturday at the Jule Musso Square in Saint André: “Yes, we faced the wrath of the Niçoise cuisine purists, who immediately cried heresy before trying to understand how and why this recipe, which is strongly inspired by our traditional Pan Bagnat, came about. I work all year to ensure Niçoise cuisine is respected, and I think a fruity version of the Pan Bagnat or socca chips are not regressions but rather a future for our heritage. And to ruffle their feathers a bit more, we’re preparing a good macaron Swiss chard pie… (laughs)”
Thus, Franck will volunteer his time at Saint André de la Roche on Saturday, accompanied by his son Emilien who works alongside him: “The Saint André town hall asked me how much I would like to receive for my involvement, and I had the impression that my response – Nothing – surprised my interlocutor. Cooking is our, my passion, and it is with great pleasure that I participate in such events, especially with children where sharing is total. I also admire the work of the Toques Brûlées who also give selflessly for this passionate profession, and I invite everyone to head to the arenas of Cimiez, next Sunday, June 29 for a day that promises to be both gourmand and humane.”
It’s understood that passion takes precedence for this true-blue Niçois who “doesn’t care” all that much: “Extremism is bad, everywhere. Who can claim to hold the true recipe for stuffed vegetables when from Rossetti Square to Pairolière Street, there are at least ten different versions…. Let’s stop these petty squabbles and work together towards recognizing and preserving one of the jewels of our heritage. In that sense, I am really happy that Jean-Luc (Gagliolo) has been appointed in charge of traditions and heritage because he truly understands this domain.”
So, save the date for Saturday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at Musso Square in Saint André de La Roche, but beforehand, you will need to register either at the town hall of Saint André or by phone at 04 93 27 71 00.
