CHEF SERGIO BARZETTI, I FEEL AT HOME IN TURIN RACECOURSE

‘The Turin Racetrack is my home’.

The speaker is chef Sergio Barzetti, a familiar face from the programme “È sempre mezzogiorno” by Antonella Clerici. He's a great fan of trotting and when he's on TV he never misses an opportunity to talk about his great love for horse racing. Your father was a highly-regarded artisan in the horse racing world. On Sunday 6th April you will be there with your famous and much-anticipated risotto, which has become a tasty tradition on grand prix days. The programme includes the Grand Prix de la Côte d'Azur and the Derby for 4-year-old colts and fillies.

Chef, what will you be preparing for Sunday on the occasion of this prestigious day?
With my friends from the ‘Chicco duro’ Association we will cook risotto for everyone, starting with the artisans, a profession that reminds me of my dear father, and then for everyone else present.

Ingredients?
Risotto, strictly Carnaroli, a product that I follow from cultivation, with peas, because it's spring, lemon flavoured gel, creamed with taleggio cheese and smoked polenta. All this for charity.

But will the risotto be offered to everyone?
Yes, of course. First to the artisans, with everything laid out in the stables, they deserve a hot dish served at the table, then to the owners, the horse racing operators and before the start of the races to the public. Over 500 portions will be distributed. It's free and the Vinovo racecourse will make a donation to the Associazione della Casa solidale del giocattolo (Association of the Toy Charity House), which supports the fundamental rights of children.

Will you also watch the races?
Yes, of course. I can't wait to admire Vernissage Grif and go and say hello to my driver friends. When I look at the track I always think of my dad applying the brake to the horse that would soon be heading towards the wings of the car. You know how many times I've seen him in action in various editions of the Costa Azzurra. And then every year they involve me in the prize-giving ceremonies, where I hand out cheeses and packets of rice, with the collaboration of Silvano Ferraris and Elisabetta Busso who are always very kind and helpful to me.

After talking about the Turin event on Rai, did anyone call you?
Of course, several people. Do you know what they asked me? ‘Is the Vinovo racecourse still open?’ I replied, surprised but with a touch of pride: ‘Of course, it's also the best organised and most active racecourse in Italy’. And in the meantime I reiterated: ‘I'll be there on Sunday because the world of trotting is my home and Stupinigi is a bit like my family’.