13220 shaker square cleveland, ohio 44120
phone (216) 921-3473

Dear Friends of fire food & drink,

As we approach our 10 year anniversary at fire, I think about how special the restaurant truly is and how lucky I am to be part of something that I love every day and that others truly care about.  Our clientele is passionate about what we do and is always happy to share experiences whether it be through food, travel or daily life. Thank you for giving fire its heart and soul and for your passionate support for all that we have done and hope to do in the future!   

With that being said, I have the opportunity to share my passion for food, wine and travel with you once again.  I would like to invite you to join me as I lead a one of a kind food and wine experience at the Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy.  The Salone del Gusto is part of theTerra Madre Conference created by Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food. It is a bi-annual marketplace that celebrates the roots of food and the exchange of ideas on good gastronomy that is sustainable for the environment and fair in terms of social justice. 

The Slow Food movement believes that food can bring people together to create lasting change culturally, ecologically, socially and economically through regional food traditions and the pleasures of the table;  thus enjoying  a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.  As I believe so passionately in this organization and its goals, I hope to share it with you, my customers!

Our culinary and sensuous journey begins in Milan on October 19 and includes a private visit to DaVinci’s The Last Supper as well as the best Milan has to offer for restaurant and cultural experiences.  Then we continue on to Turin, the capital of the Piedmont  - the Piedmont being the home of Slow Food.  I will guide you through the amazing Salone del Gusto which teaches us about biodiversity, sustainability and gastronomic pleasure – with many samples along the way.

Our trip ends on October 26 after three days in the countryside of the Piedmont where we will eat truffles and risotto, drink big Italian reds like Barolo and Barbaresco, sparkling wines from Asti, and cook and breathe all the delights of Italy’s most progressive region.  Nothing will stimulate your senses more than these few days in northern Italy.

This is the first of many culinary travel experiences that I look forward to hosting.  I am partnering with Karen Carr of Karen Carr Travel Consultants on the logistics of this program; many of you know her through her work at the Cleveland Museum of Art.  She is known for creating travel experiences and access to places around the world that are every bit as special as the foods you will savor.

Please mark your calendars for October 19 – 26, 2010 for a once in a lifetime journey where our passion for life will be unleashed.

See you there!

Douglas Katz