Sundance Film Festival, Day 4. A nice gentleman, dressed in an anonymous way, approaches… we have a quick exchange of words: “Morning guys, may I sit here with you?” “Sure, go ahead!” “So, what movie are you guys gonna see?” “We’re going for the documentaries!”
Chef Michele Casadei Massari with Andrea Romeo (ph Michele Casadei Massari)
Here comes the black coffee. Meanwhile, I order two eggs over easy, bacon on the side and potato hash. And Our New Friend With the Crooked Beard follows my order: “Sir, I'll have the same...”
Breakfast at Sundance always begins with a confidential chat among strangers; sometimes it becomes a common table – and there’s always the boiling, and inevitably burnt, coffee. The eggs arrive, the stranger takes off his sunglasses and Sunday ski hat. He smiles and looks at us in a friendly way: “By the way, I'm Ethan...” and in 30 seconds, I realize that I’ve just shared breakfast with Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke!
Ethan Hawke (ph Presley Ann/Getty Images)
But of course, this is "Any Given" Sundance: where cinema, food and meetings are just that casual – and always memorable! After all, the stories of both food and cinema have always crossed paths one way or another, and we Italians hold these two topics, so fundamental for our country, especially close to our hearts. This year, it is almost impossible not to see this appetizing combination, thanks to Luca Guadagnino and his film "The Truffle Hunters" – a touching and picturesque documentary in very warm colors.
Sundance Film Festival offers contemporary independent movies and a perfect mix for plunging headfirst into the historical era that we are currently living in. Between one screening and another – accessed only through very strict security control measures (there are signs inviting you not to bring your guns inside, for example!) – we meet up with others, chatting and waiting for the screen to light up.
(ph Michele Casadei Massari)
During these short breaks or during walks in the mountains to reach one screening or another, you always end up referring to the Chef of the group. If you have participated in almost ten editions like I have – being an Italian chef in Park City, Utah helps a lot! In fact, I always have my notebook with me, filled with local tips and updates. Since I've been coming to Sundance, I'm joyful to report that I have been asked on more than one occasion to cook for the production team or for a special event. I always prepare my best pasta dishes, developing recipes well-suited to the local climate and the tagliatelle with bison and rosemary or gnocchi with Utah tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and breadcrumbs sautéed with oil, garlic and pepper.
My perfect day at the Sundance Film Festival is all about movies and food. It starts at 8 am at Squatters with a good breakfast: black coffee (no sugar), poached eggs, mashed potatoes, a drizzle of salt and well-toasted black bread, no butter.
Squatters (ph Michele Casadei Massari)
Mid-morning break is around 10.30 am with a ristretto macchiato coffee, a chocolate chip cookie and very cold water. The snack is served in the cafeteria of the historic Yarrow Hotel; it serves as the “nerve center” for all the film industry meetings. This year, it's easy to meet Isabella Rossellini and Alba Rohrwacher – both are part of the festival’s jury, a source of great pride for Italians!
At one o'clock: lunch at Alberto's Mexican Restaurant with a mini steak burrito, a half cheese quesadilla, guacamole and a Mexican coke.
(ph Michele Casadei Massari)
After lunch, we head to the cinema to see one more movie, walking under the sun at a brisk pace in the cold Utah afternoon that is full of beautiful colors and plenty of time to think. This is a place that easily inspires a menu or simply an idea – for example, I would like to bring the clear transparency of the Utah sky into a dessert using transparent foils made with isomalt.
In the afternoon, we go for a shopping spree at Park City's Fresh Market for the famous Utah tomatoes. Venturing around with a shopping cart in this supermarket is an interesting experience; you can capture the most unexpected movie comments between the shelves and even discover what the “movie tribe” is buying and planning to make for mountain-inspired dinners for the cinema crowd and the "critics.” This year, I've noticed a huge increase in meat and sushi and the almost total disappearance of bananas from the shelves, for example. Somehow every year, this supermarket tells me about the latest food and consumption trends. I've also noticed that there are more seats and food areas in the store, while the number of cashiers and refrigerated counters have decreased – it’s more and more about community!
(ph Michele Casadei Massari)
Evening and night screenings have always been my favorite. Coming out of the cinema hall in the middle of these mountains, in the darkness lit by the stars, is always a memorable moment and a summary of the day with many different, mixed thoughts. I would like to open a restaurant here in Park City. Next year, I would like to try to turn the local community of chefs onto doing collaborations and I would like to immerse myself in some of these local kitchens to understand and experience this style of cuisine made of great, timeless American classics re-created today with references to local communities such as Egg Nog, the BLT, Surf And Turf, Caesar Salad and many others – just like in a documentary!
(ph Michele Casadei Massari)
Tonight, my evening with friends ends on the historic main street: we have Japanese dinner at Yuki Yama Sushi's and, as always, it is custom that I order for everyone!
For now, that’s all from this year’s Sundance Festival – where the documentary about The Truffle Hunters made everyone fall in love (again) with our beloved Italy, our simple traditions and the great gifts from the land. Thanks, Guadagnino and... see you soon, New York!