Master Baker Mauro Morandin and his Panettone

Panettone has become a popular cake for Christmas in UK as well and all the supermarkets and delis have got their own brands or they  import them from Italy. At some delis you will find many artisan brands. Unfortunately, one of the best panettone I ever eaten is not yet available on these shores but if you happen to go to Aosta or to Saint Vincent in Italy at the border with France you must visit Mauro Morandin bakery workshop. Believe me you won't regret the stop.

Mauro Morandin 's Panettone has been declared the best panettone in Italy in 2011 by the jurors of the " Gambero Rosso" an Italian food and wine magazine and  publishing group that every year issues  a guide with the best wines, restaurants and products  in the food and wine industry. This Panettone is made with the best and freshest ingredients around from the water, to the butter and everything is made in the workshop like the orange  and cedar peels with fruits from Calabria and nothing else apart from water and sugar . The result is a soft, fragranced panettone that  only writing about it makes me feel hungry.

Mauro Morandin doesn't bake only Panettone. He grown up in the shop established by his father and step by step he learnt all the secrets of the trade  and now his catalogue is so extensive and he has become one of the master baker with an international reputation. Among his hundreds of products I've sampled these jams which are delicious. All made with fruits sourced locally, you must try the chestnut preserve which is heaven on a spoon and the strawberry jam is out of this world.

This jar has got  some of the best candied black cherries around. They are perfect for a Black Forest Cake for example or on top an ice cream. Mauro Morandin produce chocolate pralines and confectionery as well as supplying other bakeries with ingredients like candied fruit peels, chocolate  blocks and more. Recently Mauro Morandin has introduced the savoury Panettone made with olives or truffles.

This is another delicious products by Mauro Morandin, dry figs in a sugary syrup that will be the perfect top to any slice of cakes or ice cream. Actually you can eat them on their own to better taste the amazing flavour and texture. If you are in Aosta go to Via Porta Praetoria 3 or Saint Vincent in Via Chanoux 105  go and indulge in a spot of shopping. If  you are not there visit his website to check if it is possible to order online and maybe teaming up with a group of friends you can stock up on some tempting and exquisite  sweet things. www.mauromorandin.it