THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS: Dinner & Documentary!

This unforgetable food and film experience begins with a screening of THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS (2020, 84 mins), followed by a 3-course dinner created by Forage & Florish paired with wines from the region featured in the film.

Deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, a handful of men, seventy or eighty years young, hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle—which to date has resisted all of modern science's efforts at cultivation. They're guided by a secret culture and training passed down through generations, as well as by the noses of their cherished and expertly-trained dogs. They live a simpler, slower way of life, in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture-perfect land, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. They're untethered to cell phone screens or the Internet, opting instead to make their food and drink by hand and prioritizing in-person connections and community.

The demand for white truffles increases year after year, even as the supply decreases. As a result of climate change, deforestation, and the lack of young people taking up the mantle, the truffle hunters' secrets are more coveted than ever. However, as it soon becomes clear, these ageing men may just hold something much more valuable than even this prized delicacy: the secret to a rich and meaningful life. 

Critical Acclaim:

“A scrumptious cinematic journey. Try not to fall hard for the joy it spreads.”  – Tomris Laffly, VARIETY 

“Gorgeous. Unique. Delightful. Visual Poetry. A fascinating glimpse inside a world of arcane knowledge and the luxury market that feeds off it. A constant feast for the eyes and a nourishment for the soul, giving the illusion of a journey back in time to a pre-technology age of simpler pleasures.”  – David Rooney, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER  

Paired with the dinner will be Porcini Rosemary Truffles & Chocolate "Soil" by Tavernier Chocolates, plus two wines from the region of Italy where truffles naturally occur, a dry white 2021 Gavi di Gavi DOCG from Enrico Serafino, and a red 2020 Barbera d'Asti DOC from the Marchesi di Gresy estate. The wines have been selected by sommelier Rob Forman, who is also a new addition to the board of directors of Epsilon Spires. Forman describes the Barbera d’Asti wine as “aromatic, dry and snappy,” noting that “both wines are incredibly fresh, lively, food-friendly, and are produced sustainably.”

The fresh black Winter truffles showcased in the main course was sourced from Trufflin, a Black-owned business whose mission is to democratize gourmet food by increasing accessibility. The Food Systems Films & Pop-Up Dinner Series was made possible by generous support from the Grassroots Fund. Tickets for the Dinner and Film are $45. with sliding-scale spaces available starting at $25. Tickets for the film only (popcorn included) are $12. with sliding-scale starting at $5.