The first bed and breakfast in Barga, Casa Fontana opened its door to its guests in 2004. Since then Casa Fontana has pioneered the way for many other bed and breakfast establishments in this area to follow in their footsteps.
Over the past ten years they have also won many awards for their “hands on” style of showing their guests just what Barga has to offer.
Today Ron and Susie Gauld celebrated their first decade with a party in the piazza for all their friends and acquaintances that they have built up over the years.
What better place to hold a party but in Piazza Salvo Salvi and making good use of Giovanni and the staff at Da Aristo – the unofficial cultural centre of Barga.
Necci …. sweet chestnut flour, water and salt mixed into a thick paste and cooked between two hot plates over a flame. Two metal plates, the testi or cotte, are oiled and heated and the chestnut paste is poured onto one of the plates, the other is placed over the top so that the necci can be cooked from both sides. A stick to press down on the top plate and in seconds you have one of the tastiest foods in this area (add some ricotta and you have quite simply the Food of Gods)
Fires were lit, sausages and ribs were cooked and then towards the end of the evening – Necci were cooked over the embers and all this activity took place with the sound of live music from Giuliano and his accordion and Geoff on his guitar.