A few months ago, a good friend tried to open a fish restaurant in Montegrosso. I told him: “Your plans don’t make any sense to me. Guests who want to eat fish will get fresher products if they drive to Trani or Bisceglie 20 kilometres away. Here in Montegrosso, they should be eating fresh rapini, wild artichokes, tasty focaccia, and bruschetta with healthy olive oil from our region. Fish don’t grow on trees here, so what’s the point of serving fish in Montegrosso?”He thought about it for a little while and then he redesigned his menu. Another eight osterias have now opened in the area around Montegrosso. They follow a similar approach to us and therefore also drive the local economy. I only source wine from Apulia and the Basilicata region to ensure that the local winegrowers get the recognition they deserve. New dairies, organic farms, and artisanal business have emerged and even shepherds have returned to the area with their livestock. Furthermore, in our dishes, I only use olive oil that comes from Andria and Montegrosso. And what do you do when you are invited to conferences and trade fairs abroad? I always have two or three bottles of olive oil from Montegrosso with me in my luggage.