Today was our last day in Rome and our last media visit until we arrive in Milan later in the trip. We visited Enel, a multinational manufacturer and distributor of electricity and gas. What does this have to do with media? Well, they provide echannels, emagazines, email, eradio and more. It was really fascinating to visit such a large provider in Italy, and they even let us practice a broadcast. Two of my classmates did the interview, and for the first time, I got behind the camera. I was in the control room and coordinated the camera shots for the interview. It was something I’ve never done before and it was a lot of fun. Granted, it was stressful, but fun!
But the real star of our last day in Rome was the cooking class.
We learned how to make gnocchi and ravioli in the place of the Temple of Asclepius on the Tiberina island, built third century B.C. Let that soak in: 300 years before Christ.
There was a glass floor that showed the ancient ruins below. When you’re in such a historical venue like that, it’s impossible not to feel humbled. It was amazing.
We were set up at a long table with our utensils and ingredients. One side of the table made the dough for the ravioli and the other side made the dough for the gnocchi. The gnocchi was simple – semolina flour and water. After rolling it into snake-like strips, we cut it into small cubes and rolled it on a wooden board with indents.
The dough for the ravioli was the most fun though. After rolling out all of our dough pieces, the chef, Francesco, winded it through the dough presser. I helped him by separating the slabs as he ran it through the machine over and over again. Then, he kept adding more slabs, and before you know it, the piece of dough extended to the length of the table. Then more… we all handled the dough, passing it around as he fed it through the machine. It was so fun to be a part of the pasta process. I was living my best Italian life.
After the cooking class was complete, we went to the upstairs apartment (which used to belong to Marlon Brando!) There, the tables were set and we were served the fruits of our labor – a gnocchi in tomatoes sauce and ravioli in a cream sauce. And of course, the meal wouldn’t be complete without Italian wine. I had a taste of both red and white. Normally, at home, I really don’t drink. I’ll be 22 this month and I’ve only ordered a drink out once. But when in Rome, you drink the wine! My parents would actually be proud of me.
It was a grand finale of our few days in Rome.
