Symposium Dinner

Tuesday 7 July 2009

The magnificant Medici villa, 'La Ferdinanda'

The Venue: The Medici Villa – La Ferdinanda

Near the wonderful medieval village of Artimino is the Medici villa 'La Ferdinanda' (or villa of one hundred chimneys because of a series of irregular chimneys). The building of the residence was ordered by Ferdinando 1st, Grand Duke of Tuscany, who committed the project to Bernando Buontalenti, architect of court, in 1596. As a consequence, the residence is characterised by its simplicity and elegance: the angled avant-bodies, the great access twice-flighted staircase, the distinctive outline of the four corners and the front loggia give it an unmistakable tone, typical of the Florentine Renaissance.

The Dinner

We start with welcome cocktails outside in the garden of Belvedere in front of the Villa, followed by aperitifs and a buffet of traditional Tuscan antipasto in the cellar, Cantine Granducali. After aperitifs the guests take the main stair in front of the villa (with opportunity for a group photo in front of the villa) where the dinner will be served in the Piano Nobile.
 

View from the villa across the Tuscan valley

Symposium participants, their families and friends, are all welcome to join the festivities. Transfer departure points will be confirmed at the Symposium.

Proposed dinner menu to tempt your tastebuds:

Aperitifs and buffet of Tuscan hors d'oeuvres,

then in the hall at Piano Nobile:
Crepes filled with courgette and courgette flowers - Crespelle ai fiori di zucca e zucchine
Home made fresh pasta in typical Tuscan sauce - Pennette al ragout tradizionale
Sliced beef on a bed of greens - Tagliata di manzo su letto di radicchietti
Potatoes with sage and grilled green vegetables - Patate alla salvia e verdura grigliate
Millefeuille with chantilly cream
Coffee
Wine from the Artimino farms

Guests with special dietary needs should inform us of their particular restrictions upon registration.