THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS BUTCHER HAS NO MOUTHS TO FEED; DARIO CECCHINI IN TUSCANY

Last July, back in good ‘ol 2019, Antica Macelleria Cecchini, the renowned shop of Dario Cecchini, not-arguably the world’s most famous butcher, was so packed with locals and tourist from more than 20 nations that i walked outside just to get a little breathing space. Today, and for the last month plus, the place is basically empty except for the Butcher and his wife.

Today, Wednesday, I think, via Whatsapp, i ‘talked” with Kim Wicks, Dario’s wife. She said the mood was not “sad’ in Panzano in Chianti, but rather ‘eerie. She, in her message said something that defines beautifully Dario’s feelings about Nancy. ‘Dario has just now discovered Netflix. In fact, the first thing he asked to see was Nancy’s chef’s Table.” (That choked me up, not a hard thing to do, but it also choked up Nancy, which is a bit more difficult.)

And here’s a brief Q & A with Dario - as translated by Kim - from Panzano in Chianti.

When did you first hear about Corona?
We heard in January, that there was a problem in a city in China called Wuhan, where it seemed that it all started from eating animals that we consider strange, like bats. Right now I am reading a story about Alexandre Dumas speaking on the consumption of meat through history, where he states it is believed that the ancient Romans found small dogs excellent. So,  I don't want to judge.

 What is the mood in Panzano?

The population is acting responsibly. There are few people circulating on the streets, the bars are closed, the restaurants are closed, there is silence. The most present thing is this silence, this noisy silence, a silence you can hear.

 Can you go to Florence?

We don't go to Florence, I think we could go for special cases like a doctor or a hospital visit, but we are all here. We don't move, people are being very very responsible.

 Can people go out and take a walk around?

You don't see people strolling, even if I think walks would be allowed so far, as long as one doesn’t bunch up with others. But no, nobody is out strolling.

 Is there a curfew?

From 6 o'clock in the afternoon, all stores, including food stores such as Macelleria Cecchini must close and therefore yes, there is a sort of curfew, no one is on the streets.

 What good movie have you seen?

It's me and Kim in the house, we watch old crime movies and whatever we happen on. Yesterday we saw a fabulous 1968 film directed by Don Siegel, called “Madigan'‘. (with Richard Widmark) It was a fantastic New York police, shoot ‘em up story.

 What are you cooking at home?

Kim is doing a series of experiments on me, the other day I ate beef with curry masala and coconut milk. It was good, a little strong but I'm the only one on whom she can test out her creative cuisine.

I love my wife.