If Italians put just one tenth of the passion they spend discussing food into debating politics, we’d be a nation of fine statesmen. The country might be on the brink of yet another recession, but what really matters to us is establishing the right cut of pork-meat for our carbonara.

Even if the world has an overall positive opinion of us (we dress well, they say, we’re friendly and well-natured…), sooner or later every foreigner gets to experience some degree of “Italian judgment”. This is typically expressed over what we believe to be unforgivable food-crimes, exemplified by the contempt-smile of the unfortunate waiter serving you a cappuccino at lunchtime.