Angelo Conti Rossini is undoubtedly one of the most famous and celebrated Brissaghesi ever. The mayor of Brissago, Roberto Ponti, who was his colleague in the City Hall but who knew him since he was a child, drew a very eloquent portrait of him in a recent interview: “He was a man with incredible knowledge and relationships, at cantonal, federal, and international levels. Brissago had created such a great reputation that it has honored and still honors our town. And in the City Hall, thanks to his strong and exuberant personality, he was able to get everyone to agree.”
To commemorate the centenary of his birth, the Culture and Tourism Commission organizes an event in memory of the great chef on Sunday, March 24.
After recalling the highlights of his life, thanks to the contributions of relatives, friends and acquaintances, the documentary ‘Angelo Conti Rossini, el mè Pa’, made for ‘Storie’ by Paolo Vandoni and produced by RSI, a documentary already broadcast by the broadcaster at the beginning of February, will be screened.
In the film, the soul of Angelo Conti Rossini relives through the words and memories of those who knew and loved him, in a continuous and exciting interweaving between the human and professional sides. The documentary traces the Master’s career – from his long training in the most prestigious cuisines in Switzerland and beyond, to his rise to the Olympus of gastronomy – and reveals some new aspects of his life. Not the classic gastronomic documentary, therefore, focused on his undisputed talent; At least, not only. Through the memories of his daughter Monica and those who collaborated with him, the film immerses itself in Angelo’s deepest essence and makes him an intimate and touching portrait, vivid and true.
You can listen to the testimonies of other great chefs who have appreciated him, both as a colleague and friend, and as a teacher. Like Pietro Leemann of Joia di Milano, who was his pupil, or Frédy Girardet, with whom Conti Rossini had close friendships, as well as Gualtiero Marchesi, who in an old interview with RSI calls him ‘a great forerunner of the times’, thanks to his highly innovative cuisine. Among the testimonies, there is also that of the financier Tito Tettamanti, a great friend and admirer of the Angel, whom he called Angiulin.
And again: Recalling Angelo Conti Rossini’s great passion for cycling – when he died on 21 March 1993 in Porto Val Travaglia, he was riding around Lake Maggiore – and the painful decision to leave the Garden of Ascona with the two stars ‘of good food’ attributed to him by Michelin as early as 1968, while he was at the helm of his Garden of Brissago, which later became Agora.
An evocative documentary full of memories, emotions, unpublished testimonies. Like the touching one of her daughter Monica: “After 30 years, I decided to open the book of memories and mourn. So I was able to find my father again, at the end of a journey that requires time and willpower.’
The appointment is therefore for Sunday 24 March at 16:00 in the municipal gym of Brissago. The event will be moderated by journalist Marco Bazzi.