Giovanni Trapattoni’s former translator Manuela helps promote Irish food to Italians
Manuela Spinelli, who helped explain Giovanni Trapattoni’s vision for Irish football during her stint as translator for the former Irish soccer boss, is now working with Bord Bia on the production of an Italian TV show showcasing top Irish food produce.
Manuela stopped off in Cork this week with former Miss Italy, Daniela Ferolla, a co-presenter of one of Italian TV’s most popular agri shows, on their foodie road trip of Ireland, organised in association with Bord Bia’s Italian office.
Manuela, Ms Ferolla and their TV crew visited the city’s famous English Market and met stall owners, including butcher Tom Durcan, who discussed his famous spiced beef, before they visited the Midleton Distillery and Ballymaloe House and Cookery School to shoot footage for Linea Verde, Italian TV’s equivalent of RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground.
The show, which embarks on two foreign trips every series to explore food culture, is also due to tour top gourmand spots along the Wild Atlantic Way between now and Sunday.
“I have two main passions in life — sport and food — so I was delighted when I was asked by Bord Bia to help on this particular show,” Manuela said.
“They didn’t want a translator per se. They wanted an Italian voice, someone who knows Ireland, to help on the show.
“I have been here for over 20 years and was delighted to help.
“Bord Bia have put together a fantastic itinerary and we are meeting top producers all along the way.”
While Italy is famed worldwide for its food heritage and culture, she said that fame can be a disadvantage at times.
“It can make Italians less adventurous in terms of exploring new foods when they are abroad,” she said.
“They need to be taught, educated or guided, and told about the food producers, and the best things to eat.
“And when that happens, it is a revelation to them.
“The whole idea of this show is to put Ireland, and Irish food in particular, on the culinary map in Italy.
“There is a lot of great things happening in Irish food, amazing work is being done, and we hope to promote that, and the amazing producers, to an Italian audience.”
The Linea Verde programme on Irish food is due to air on Italy’s Rai 1 channel on May 22 to an estimated audience of some five million people.
