The bong connection

The bong connection

We were at a 150 years old iconic heritage restaurant in Florence  , known for the authentic vintage Italian cuisine, with centuries old recipes cooked in the traditional method in wood burning ovens using traditional ingredients .

The suave maitre’d spoke in fluent Italian describing the menu.

However, ever since we landed in Italy, we were coming across Bangladeshis everywhere, and my wife suspected this high priest of gastronomic delight as well.

So when he approached our table, I asked “ Bangali?”

He replied in Bengali with a wide smile that yes, he was from Sylhet, and has been here for twenty years, rising to this position from a waiter.

The kitchen was open style, and we could see the venerated traditional Italian chef toiling over the ovens and skillets.

My wife suspected him too.

So I asked our new found friend.

And he confirmed with an even wider smile that yes, he was from the same village, and the man who brought him over. The chef was here even longer, and half their village was cooking and serving Italian delicacies to tourists from around the world, including at this iconic place, ancient Italian cuisine via Bangladesh.

Soumya.