Chocolate Queen

Luisa Spagnoli

Giovanni Buitoni

We are ensconced in a rather nice condo within the walls of Assisi.  The views are breathtaking. It's an enormous space, filled with art and music. We have both an organ and a piano and bookcases that hold well over a thousand books, sadly, all in French. Most importantly, we are living in history. I am now a "principessa" and am living in a real palazzo......the former home of an important Assisi citizen by the name of Sigismondo Spagnoli. Sigi had a true passion for art and education and he co-founded a drawing school for the young people of Assisi in the Palazzo Locatelli, one of the first buildings to have been renovated under his direction. Later, he is credited with many works of art and reconstructions for which he will be remembered. His brother, Annibel, will long be remembered for another famous art, one that he would pursue with the help of his future wife.

Luisa Sargentini was born in Perugia, the "big" city of Umbria on October 30, 1877. She was a chocolatier and eventually, she married Annibel and together, they took up residence in Perugia.

Stay with me here....

Giovanni Buitoni was born in 1891, also in Perugia. In 1827, his great-grandmother, in the light of her husband's illness, was faced with providing a livelihood for her family so, she pawned her wedding jewels and grabbed a few simple ingredients and guess what Mamma Buitoni made.....you got it.....Macaroni!!! The rest is history. And, there will be more about that history some other time but for now....more about my most favorite subject

Chocolate

Simple ingredients

The formula to every successful recipe produced in Italy, became the rule for the very first of the confections later to be known as "Perugina".  A rich dark chocolate exterior which wraps around a blend of finely-chopped hazelnuts and chocolate known as "Gianduja". The top of each piece, a whole hazelnut. To this day, same, same. Another interesting fact....the candy was the brainchild of Luisa who designed the shape, wanting each piece to resemble a knuckle of a closed fist, a "Cazzoto"

Following his graduation, in 1909, Pappa Buitoni sent his son on a trip to Germany where he studied languages and observed industrial operations as he prepared for life on his own. There, he learnt of the impending failure of the Perugina chocolate factory and, at age 18, he decided to take it on when he returned to his birthplace and family (remember, he was Italian).

The return to Perugia and the factory brought the count of employees up to 100. 

Meanwhile, back at the assembly line, the decision was made, by Giovanni, to change the name to "Baci" meaning "kiss" and now, instead of a punch, one would receive a most softer version of the chocolate, wrapped in foil. The color of the moonlight.  Ah, this is turning out to be so romantic. And, to make it more so, Luisa and Giovanni, 28 years her junior mind you, were becoming an item and slipping love notes to each other at their place of work. Not sure where Mr. Spagnoli was at the time, but I do know he was ailing during the war and Luisa tried to keep things running to support the family of five.

Legend has it that in the 1930's a man named Federico Seneca, inspired by the little love note exchanges, decided to have a tiny strip with romantic notes inserted under the wrappings of each piece. The custom continues to this day. And, Giovanni became the lifelong companion of Luisa, helping her eventually to manufacture clothing (using Angora wool, a process she invented). Her line of clothing is still alive in well. Together, they relocated to Paris (I told you this had romance) until her death at age 58.

My joy is abundant

I am living in a palazzo steeped in beauty and history......in Italy

Amongst thousands of books, works or art, a piano, an organ and oh, so much more.

Happily, I will concede that although I may have thought myself the "Queen of Chocolate", that title belongs to one Luisa Spagnoli. May she forever reign.