Vincenzo Buonassisi (7 January 1918 - 25 January 2004) was an Italianjournalist, writer, andgastronome.
Buonassisi was born inL'Aquila on 7 January, 1918 but grew up inApulia.[1] He moved with his family toRome at the age of six. He served in theItalian military during theSecond World War, seeing combat inNorth Africa before being captured.[2] As aprisoner of war (POW) in the United States Buonassisi lived atPOW camps inTexas,Mississippi, andArkansas. He later fondly remembered the food he had access to in the American POW camps, especially compared to Italian military service.[3]
Buonassisi initially pursued law, studying to be alawyer, but eventually became a journalist instead.[4]
As a journalist Buonassisi primarily wrote forCorriere della Sera andLa Stampa, often under thepen name Falstaff. Buonassisi became famous for his food coverage however he also covered travel, music, opera, and television.[4] He was the first person to have the position of dedicated food and wine correspondent at a major Italian newspaper.[1]
In 1977 theNew York Times described Buonassisi as Italy's "reigning King of Pasta"[3] and positively reviewed his bookPasta.[5][4]
Buonassisi published non-fiction books about food andwine as well asnovels. He had a popularcooking program on Italian television, attracting more than a million viewers.[4]
In 1953 Buonassisi became involved with Orio Vergano'sAccademia italiana della cucina.[1]
Buonassisi was also apainter andsongwriter.[3]
Buonassisi was married to Anna Presenti who was aco-author of many of his books.[1]
Buonassisi's personalmotto/credo was "History of food, history of man."[1]
Buonassisi held that the dish ofchicory andfava beans (chicoria e fava) was anaphrodisiac.[6]
Buonassisi died on 25 January, 2004.[2]
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