Italian-Brazilian restaurateur Massimo Ferrari, one of the leading names in Italian gastronomy in Brazil, was awarded the Commander of the Order of Merit medal by the President of Italy, Sergio Moro. Mattarella.
The tribute was presented by the Consul General in São Paulo, Domenico Fornara, during the inauguration of the 13th Settimana della Cucina Regionale Italiana, the main event dedicated to the gastronomy of the “Belpaese” in Brazil.
Ferrari is responsible for the restaurant Felice e Maria (his parents' names), which enchanted Mattarella during his official visit of the head of state to Brazil, last July.
“The president was so excited that, as he left the restaurant, he decided to pay tribute to this wonderful place and to Ferrari’s friendliness. Never has a choice been so correct and fair,” said Fornara when presenting the award.
Born in Premosello-Chiovenda, in the Piedmont region, the restaurateur arrived in Brazil in 1947, when he was five years old, and became one of the most important names in the gastronomic scene in São Paulo, first with the Massimo restaurant, which operated from 1976 to 2013, and later with Felice e Maria.
“It is a very important decoration because it reflects the work of a family that came here, conquered its space, put down roots, without ever stopping loving Italy,” Ferrari told ANSA, adding that he felt “honored” to receive Mattarella.
“He is an incredible person, a unique human being, who talks to you, appreciates what you do. It was an unparalleled experience,” he highlighted. (HANDLE)
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