Bread, Time, and the Power of Transformation

To mark 10 years of Food for Soul and 30 years of Osteria Francescana, we reflect on what we have learned along the journey. Inspired by the question How old are you?, this month we focus on the value of time—what it has taught us, how it shapes us, and how we can use it to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities for change.

NEVERSTOP_COPERTINA_2

Time has shaped everything we do. This year, Food for Soul celebrates 10 years of action – 10 years of recovery, transformation, and finding meaning in what others overlook. Time reminds us that every moment matters, and every second is a chance to act.

Bread is gold.

At Food for Soul, time is the unseen artisan behind every loaf of bread, every shared meal, and every strengthened community. Bread, one of humanity’s oldest and simplest foods, holds the wisdom of time: the patience to rise, the power to nourish, and the ability to transform.

It’s a metaphor for transformation. From turning day-old bread into something extraordinary to creating hope where there was none, bread reminds us that small acts can lead to profound change.

Time also connects us to our roots. It’s an italian memory of childhood breakfasts, dipping stale bread into warm milk, and the stories of communities coming together. It is this power of transformation that has made Refettorio projects a symbol of hope.

What does time mean to us?

Time is a call to action. It’s the moment we realize that the world needs us to do more, to care more, to act now. 2015 – Massimo Bottura called chefs to act – because the time was, and still is, NOW.

Warm regards, 
Food for Soul

CMC47

A recipe after all is a solution to a problem. Choose to be part of the solution by cooking and sharing a meal around a table. It might be the most revolutionary thing you do all day.

Massimo Bottura
massimo-bottura-04

To celebrate 10 years of action, we revisit our journey through a recipe that shaped who we are and became the symbol of our mission.

 

BREAD IS GOLD

INGREDIENTS:

Bread crisps:

  • 100 gr stale bread
  • 10 g edible gold powder

Bread and sugar cream:

  • 100 gr stale bread
  • 100 gr brown sugar
  • 800 ml milk
  • 3 tbl heavy cream

Salted caramel ice cream:

  • 150 ml heavy cream
  • 150 g brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 150 ml milk

Caramel croutons:

  • 100 g bread,
  • 4 tbl brown sugar

 

METHOD:

Make the bread crisps
Preheat the oven to 180°Ca. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the bread on the baking sheet 2 cm apart. Bake until crispy and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Let cool. Sprinkle with the gold powder.

Make the bread and sugar cream
In a medium pan, heat the bread and brown sugar over medium heat and cook until caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add half the milk and simmer until almost all the liquid has evaporated. Add the remaining milk and the cream, bring to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. Transfer to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve two times. Cover and refrigerate. Once cold, whisk until stiff peaks form and transfer to a pastry (piping) bag.

Make the salted caramel ice cream
In a small pot, bring the cream to a boil over medium heat. In a medium pan, melt the brown sugar over medium heat until completely melted, about 3 minutes. Add the warmed cream and salt, remove from the heat, and whisk. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pan. Add the milk and generous 200 ml water. Return to the heat and bring to 40°C over medium heat, then simmer for 2 minutes until it reaches 80°C. Remove from the heat and let cool. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Transfer to an ice-cream machine and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (If you don’t have an ice-cream machine, freeze the mixture until hard enough to scoop.)

Make the caramel croutons
In a medium pan, heat the bread and brown sugar over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar caramelizes and coats the bread, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let cool. Store in an airtight container.

To serve
Place a scoop of the salted caramel ice cream on each plate and top with 5 caramel croutons, 1 tablespoon bread and sugar cream, 5 more caramel croutons, and 1 more tablespoon bread and sugar cream. Garnish with 1 bread crisp.