For the Pompeii's Table project, some of Orlando's most inventive chefs, culinarians and creative artists were given a list of ingredients used by cooks in 1st century Pompeii and had to "limit" their creations to that inventory. No tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant. Fish, goat, quail, cheese and a world encyclopedia of spices ... very much yes.
Chefs, brewers, bakers, dessert makers, poets, musicians, artists and writers take on the task of bringing cuisine from 79AD into the 21st century.
Pompeii: The Immortal City plunges the visitor into the heart of the drama of the ancient city of Pompeii. immersive moments allow the visitor to experience the destruction of the city and to identify with the inhabitants of that time, immobilized by the volcano’s ashes. More than 100 archaeological items originating from Pompeii, including a large number being exhibited for the first time, demonstrate life in Pompeii at the moment Vesuvius erupted in 79 a.d.
Illustrating how food held a central position in the culture, Pompeii's Table creator Joseph Hayes takes a sneak peek at the upcoming series, with animations, discussions, recreations of 1st Century Pompeiian bread from Olde Hearth Bread Co., wine and samples of olives and cheese. Part of Science Night Live. SOLD OUT
IMPERIAL ROME REINVENTED: INSPIRED BY ANCIENT ITALY
ANTIQUA CERVISIA: REVIVING ANCIENT ALES
Pompeii's Table consulting chef Jes Tantalo joins forces with Redlight Redlight head brewer Brent Hernandez to present a week of Pompeiian snacks and wines highlighted by a dinner on Dec 2, inspired by Pompeii's historically available ingredients and traditional processes. The dinner features five paired courses featuring Southern Italian wine and vintage ales opposite hand-crafted small plates, reflecting Jes's remarkable talent for flavors and Brent's dual loves of history and beer.
(Call Wed-Thurs 12-10; Fri-Sat 12-12; Sun 12-8). Seating limited to 20 diners. SOLD OUT
LA TAVOLA REINVENTS SATURNALIA
A pioneer of the local and seasonal food scene in Orlando, Chef Kevin Fonzo recreates the ancient Pompeiian holiday feast of Saturnalia in his own inimitable style, featuring the return of his crew from the groundbreaking restaurant, K. Seating limited to 34 diners. SOLD OUT
LA TAVOLA REINVENTS SATURNALIA II
The King of Saturnalia returns for a second dinner, Chef Kevin Fonzo recreates the ancient Pompeiian holiday feast of Saturnalia in his own inimitable style, full of food and holiday merriment. Seating limited to 30 diners. SOLD OUT
ET TWO BRUNOS: A COLLABORATIVE ADVENTURE
A six-course dinner inspired by 1st-century Pompeii with two visionaries of the kitchen: Bruno Fonseca (The Foreigner Experience) and Bruno Zacchini III (Pizza Bruno). How could you have two Brunos and not have them make a Pompeiian dinner together? Seating limited to 30 diners SOLD OUT
POMPEII & THE WORLD
Sea bass, honey roasted duck, braised wild boar in mead ... this one is the essence of Pompeii. A four-course crafted dinner influenced by Pompeii's world-spanning trade, courtesy of chef Stephen Doyle, creating modern interpretations of Roman delicacies. Seating limited to 30 diners. SOLD OUT
Pompeii’s Table creator, freelance writer, playwright and former dining critic for Orlando magazine, Joseph Reed Hayes has been writing about the Orlando scene since 1997, and traveled extensively throughout Southern Italy. As the only independent producer presenting work during this series of artistic partnerships, Joseph crafted the Pompeii's Table events to celebrate Italian cuisine and the unique legacy of ancient Italy. Joseph writes for national and international publications about food, travel and the arts, and has won five Florida Magazine Association "Charlie" Awards for his writing. With 45 productions and readings of his plays from coast to coast and in three countries since 2001, Joseph continues to explore new environments for theater. jrhayes.net
Pompeii's Table is made possible through an arts and cultural partnership with Orlando Science Center and the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Office to support the event, Pompeii: The Immortal City, open to the public from October 26, 2020 to January 24, 2021, at Orlando Science Center. Special thanks to Terry Olson for his support.
Pompeii's Table: Sublime and Ancient Food That Has Survived Vesuvius's Fury is a production of Joseph Hayes and The Company of Eccentric Beggars.
All content © 2021 Joseph Hayes
