Danielle (Dany) Mitzman is a British freelance journalist who has been based in the north Italian town of Bologna since 1998. Before that, she worked in London as a producer for Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4. She makes features and documentaries for BBC World Service, BBC Radio 4, Deutsche Welle Radio and Radio Netherlands. Her reports are often rebroadcast on other networks, including NPR, CBC, ABC Australia and SABC. Her favourite areas are human interest, arts and culture and Italy's quirkiest news stories.
Burping is a socially unacceptable habit in many cultures. But each year, crowds flock to the Italian town of Reggiolo, to listen to belching in all its myriad forms. It’s a competition called Ruttosound, part of an annual beer festival – and for a good cause with contestants clearing their oesophagus’ to raise money for charity. I took a deep breath and checked it out.
(first broadcast on Inside Europe, Deutsche Welle Radio, 4th August 2016)
White truffles are a rare and expensive delicacy mostly found in Italy, especially in the north-western region of Piedmont, renowned for its wines and hazelnuts.
They fetch around 300-450 euros per 100 grams. One reason the price is so high is because these ‘white gold’ mushrooms are becoming increasingly rare. Over the past 25 years, there has been a 30 percent decrease in truffle supply, and in some places, truffles have disappeared altogether. But conservationists are determined to save the truffle.
(first broadcast on Living Planet, Deutsche Welle Radio, 24th November, 2016)
Zuppa Inglese. English Soup. It’s my least favourite Italian dessert, reminiscent of a British one that’s never done it for me either: trifle.
It’s made with vanilla custard cream flavoured with a hint of lemon zest, chocolate custard cream, and sponge cake or sponge finger biscuits dipped in a peculiar, bright red liqueur.
I’ve been delving into the mysteries of Zuppa Inglese: its history, its name and its (to me, inexplicable) lasting popularity.
I began by talking to Massimo Bottura, the author of Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef, at his 3 Michelin star restaurant Osteria Francescana in Modena.
First broadcast on The Food Programme, BBC Radio 4, 20th December 2015