John Irving

Shaken, stirred, salted, or flavoured with mollusc – the tide is turning on the marine-flavoured cocktail, writes John Irving.

Mitteleuropa meets the Med in the Italian port city of Trieste. John Irving explores its unique blend of Latin, Slavic and Germanic traditions - one buffet at a time.

Italy's claim to being the greatest of the world's cuisines has one key weakness: breakfast. But, argues John Irving, there's more to the story than first meets the eye.

The cultivation of rice in Italy sparked political conflict and the wonder that is risotto, writes John Irving.

There’s emotion, nostalgia, and chance encounters for John Irving on his voyage into the unknown, from Italy to Istanbul.

Smeg has turned its kitchen appliances into covetable objets d’art. John Irving meets CEO Vittorio Bertazzoni, the man driving the company’s creative evolution.

Versilia could be Italy’s best-kept secret. John Irving finds much about Tuscany’s northern resort region to woo the discerning traveller.

How is it that a doughy disc topped with pretty much any food you can imagine has so completely captured the world’s appetite? John Irving surveys the popularity of pizza.

Genoa, the coastal town that gave the world pesto, Christopher Columbus and Renzo Piano, holds surprises around every corner. John Irving explores its labyrinthine lanes.

Siena, famed for the Palio horse race which runs this month, is a medieval gem and a sure-fire winner in the arts and culinary stakes, writes John Irving.