About Bengodi

'... a region called Bengodi, where the vines were tied up with sausages and a goose was sold for a penny, with the chicks thrown in for free. There was also a high mountain, made entirely of grated Parmesan cheese, on which were people who did nothing but make macaroni and ravioli, boiled in broth from castrated cocks, which they then threw down to whoever could or would catch them. Near this mountain flowed a wide river of pure, priceless Vernaccia wine, in which there was not a drop of water.'

From: Decameron, third tale, eighth day. Giovanni Boccaccio, 1351 AD

Ciao and welcome to my online store. My name is Fernando and I am a great lover of good food. I am originally from the Salento region, Lecce is my hometown, but I have also lived in other Italian regions before moving to the Netherlands. I know my long country very well and I have had the chance to discover the different regional cuisines and their delicacies, which has influenced me irreparably, because in Italy there are so many good things!

For me, good things are traditional, local products, wild aromatic herbs, the sun, special flavors and scents, sustainability, quality! I am not talking about industrial products, but about artisanal, made as tradition requires; not only because of proven methods and techniques, but also because of passion, love and respect for one’s own territory – and all this you will find at Bengodi.

If you are interested in Italian cuisine – the real one, without compromise – there is also the possibility to come and eat in my home restaurant. Or I can come to your home to cook for you and your friends. Contact me and I am sure you will not regret it.

Bengodi is the imaginary land of plenty, brought to life by Giovanni Boccaccio, where you live well by eating ( Ben , in Italian) and enjoying life ( godi , in Italian)!

Bengodi is passionate about life. To live, we need to eat, and when we eat well, we live better!

And Bengodi will be much more, because this is just the beginning. In the future I want to organize Italian cooking workshops and gastronomic trips. Stay tuned!

Arrivederci!!