Pasta that

empowers
A social-outreach project in
Modena teaches teens with
special needs how to make pasta
– with life-changing results
Words⁄Tom Jenkins

the big ide a

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 Handmaking tortellini
Other
is a skill that requires empowering
precision and patience
projects

Auticon
This
multinational
IT firm employs
consultants who
are on the autism
spectrum. They’re
valued for their
problem-solving
abilities, while
clients are
coached in how to
streamline their
communications.
auticon.co.uk
the big ide a

A
mong the dreamy terracotta streets and wares – fashion behemoth Gucci recently placed an Phoenix Room
This project,
spires of Modena in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna request for 260kg a month for its canteens – and this by architectural
region, a project has taken shape that spring they will open a dedicated shop to the public. educationalists
is empowering two marginalised groups while For Bottura, it’s a dream that this iconic Emilian Matt & Fiona, has
seen autistic
sustaining the local tradition of producing food – which the Modena native says he would children aged
handmade tortellini. II Tortellante unites young take with him to a desert island – has become a nine to 16 design
adults with autism and learning difficulties, and motivator for change. Many of the young people and build their
own sensory
local rezdore – housewives and retired matriarchs who attend the project, he explains, would have playground
– for cooking classes with a difference. little prospect of meaningful work otherwise. structure at
The initiative has a famous ambassador: chef “This project doesn’t just address the needs of their east
London school.
Massimo Bottura, of the city’s three-Michelin-star young adults coming out of the scholastic system mattandfiona.org
Osteria Francescana restaurant (twice named the and entering into the job market, but also the needs
best in the world). His son Charlie, who has special of the retired community that often suffers from
needs, attends – and the positive effect has been social isolation,” says Bottura. “Together, these two
immediate. “When Charlie arrived home with a groups are actively fighting to keep the Modenese
container of tortellini made by his group, he was so handmade pasta tradition alive.”
proud to have been part of the production of the Not only that, Il Tortellante is giving the families of
A U T I C O N G MB H , M AT T + F I O N A , B I T T Y & B E A U ’S C O F F E E
evening meal that he couldn’t wait to return the these teens renewed hope for the future. “Parents Bitty & Beau’s
Coffee
next week to make even more,” the chef says. see how able their children are and that they can
The founders
Bottura and his wife Lara helped launch have an active role in society,” he explains. “We’d of this coffee
the scheme in 2016, in partnership with child love to see the project grow and expand to other chain, which
employs 60 people
psychologists and autism charity Aut Aut Modena. towns in Italy or even across Europe.” with special
It’s been such a hit that it relocated last year to Right now, though, one of the world’s greatest chefs needs in the US,
a two-storey space complete with a pasta lab. has some catching up to do. “Charlie can now say that were inspired by
their experience
Kids who attend learn various different skills that he knows how to make tortellini better than me,” he of raising kids
can help with personal autonomy and socialising. says. “This is perhaps the greatest satisfaction any son with Down’s
The main event, however, is the pasta making, and can have – one up on his dad.” tortellante.it syndrome – the
real-life Bitty
the youngsters have even graduated to a professional Modena is 90 minutes’ drive from Verona; Norwegian and Beau. bittyand
level. The project now fulfils private orders for their flies to Verona from Oslo. Book flights at Norwegian.com beauscoffee.com

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