The story
La Preséf (the feeding trough, in local dialect) is the gourmet restaurant of La Fiorida, a working farm in Mantello, Valtellina. Two years after opening in 2013, it earned a Michelin star – making La Fiorida the first agriturismo in Italy to hold the recognition. In 2022, the guide also awarded it the Green Star for its commitment to sustainability and authenticity.
Born in Valtellina in 1967, Gianni Tarabini developed his passion for cooking in his family’s hotel, encouraged by his grandmother. He trained under Erminio Curti and Massimo Bottura before taking charge of La Fiorida’s kitchen in 2007. Today, at La Preséf, he crafts what he calls a “cuisine of emotions” – creative, seasonal dishes built around ingredients raised or grown within meters of the dining room. “We play with flavours to amaze ourselves and escape what is predictable, offering genuine surprise with every bite,” he says.
The kitchen draws on the farm’s own dairy (making Valtellina Casera DOP), its orchards and vegetable plots, and nearby herders and fishermen. Chef Tarabini often arrives in the morning with baskets of wild herbs, blueberries, and cabbage picked himself. The wine list, curated by sommelier Daniele Massa, highlights the heroic terraced vineyards of the region, where Nebbiolo (called Chiavennasca) thrives. The result is Alpine Italian cuisine that is deeply rooted in place, with a clear, sustainable ethos – every ingredient has a story and a purpose.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
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