Assemini is flying high with the awarding of 47-year-old pastry chef Maurizio Mameli. This morning, Mameli, owner of the "Nonna Claudia" pasta shop on Via Carmine, was awarded the prestigious "Dino Villani" prize by the Academy of Italian Cuisine. The award, in particular, went to one of Sardinia's traditional desserts: the pardula.
A soft cloud of ricotta, sugar, and eggs that, thanks to Mameli's grandmother's recipe, the help of his aunts who passed it down to their nephew, and the skill of the young pastry chef, delights the palates of Assemini and beyond every day.
The awards ceremony was held in Cagliari, at the charming Ballero estate, in the presence of Senators Sabrina Licheri and Antonella Zedda and other local politicians, led by Assemini Mayor Mario Puddu: "The 'Dino Villani' award from the Academy of Italian Cuisine is given to the producer who has distinguished himself in the artisanal production of a food product of significant and specific organoleptic quality, made with traceable, top-quality national ingredients and with a clearly identified local characteristic. I wanted to be present to express our pride and satisfaction," Puddu stated.
Mameli was thrilled. Accompanied by his wife and son, he received the certificate of recognition, and then offered those present the sweets he'd prepared that morning: pardule, of course, but also ciambelle, bianchini, amaretti, and, for those with a savory taste, the typical filled panadine: "I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to prepare everything. My hands were shaking, but when I saw the pardule rising in the oven, I could breathe again!" Mameli said.