The Milano Files

For the love of panettone with Nicola Olivieri of Olivieri 1882

Jaclyn DeGiorgio Season 1 Episode 2

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If you’ve sworn off panettone because you think it’s dry, bland, cottony, and uninspired, then you haven’t tasted good panettone, true panettone–you most likely have only had the preservative-packed industrial versions. Indeed, these sub-par iterations give Milan’s emblematic leavened treat a bad rap abroad, but good panettone has the power to convert even the most seemingly unwavering haters. In honor of Christmas, host Jaclyn DeGiorgio pays homage to the beloved and misunderstood sweet bread. Nicola Olivieri, one of Italy’s finest bakers, weighs in.  

Sources for the episode/items mentioned: 

  • Jaclyn’s blog post about artisan panettone in Milan.  
  • Nicola Olivieri of Olivieri 1882 
  • The Consorzio of Panettone's page about its origin legends and history
  • Il panettone. Storia, leggende, segreti e fortune di un protagonista del Natale by Stanislao Porzio, published in 2007 --This is the book to read if you want to know more about panettone. I’ve learned tons from it over the years, and he even dives further into the origin tales. 
  • Cucina Milanese Contemporanea by Cesare Battisti and Gabriele Zanatta, published in 2020 
  • La Cucina Milanese by Fabiano Guatteri, published in 2004 

Panettone competitions and events


Where to find Olivieri 1882 panettone in the US:

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If you're visiting Milan and would like to book a food tour with Jaclyn when you're in town, send her an email: jaclyndegiorgiofoodtours@gmail.com

Jaclyn's blog: A Signorina in Milan

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