An international culinary scandal shook the culinary circles after a popular British website published an incorrect recipe for the classic Italian dish "cacio e pepe", which provoked a sharp reaction among Italian chefs and restaurateurs.
Official representatives of the Italian restaurant association Fiepet Confesercenti expressed an official protest, even sending letters to the British Embassy in Rome due to the inauthentic representation of the traditional dish.
The association's president Claudio Pica emphasized: "This culinary masterpiece from Rome and the Lazio region is so significant that it has transcended Italy's borders. The original recipe includes only three ingredients - pasta, black pepper, and pecorino cheese."
The Good Food site, which was owned by BBC until 2024, published a recipe with four ingredients: spaghetti, black pepper, parmesan, and butter, even offering an option to add liquid cream. This modification caused genuine outrage among authentic Italian chefs.
Giorgio Eramo, owner of a fresh pasta restaurant in Rome, categorically stated: "This is not cacio e pepe at all. The recipe they published with butter and parmesan is actually 'Pasta Alfredo' - a completely different dish."
A journalist from the public television RAI commented sarcastically: "They always tell us we're not as good as BBC... and then they make such a serious mistake. The suggestion to add cream made me shudder."
Local residents emphasized that they do not object to culinary experiments, but insist on respecting traditional recipes. Maurizio, owner of a family hotel in Rome, firmly stated: "You can make whatever variations you want, but you cannot use the original Italian name if you change the essence of the dish."
This incident fits into a broader context of sensitivity among Italians towards international interpretations of their national cuisine. Eleonora, an employee at a central Roman café, explained: "Our tradition is based precisely on food. When someone touches something so sacred, it can cause sadness."
Some local chefs, like Nicola from a venue near the Vatican, were categorical: "Cacio e pepe is not made with cream. Cream is for desserts. Anyone who uses cream doesn't understand cooking."
Restaurateurs emphasized that they are open to light modifications - for example, Giorgio Eramo offers a version with lime in the summer, but insists that this does not violate the essence of the traditional dish.
The owners of the Good Food site from Immediate Media have not yet officially commented on the scandal, which has caused a wide response in the Italian media.
The case once again raises the question of international understanding and respect for culinary traditions, demonstrating how important authenticity is in food.