"Telling the food is not for everyone": the good example of the Asset at the Festival

Telling the wine, food and agriculture, following strict deontological rules. This is the philosophy of Aset, association of the Tuscan food and wine press (www.asettoscana.it), partner of the Festival of Food Journalism.

Born in the 2012 to bring together journalists resident in Tuscany who deal with food in all its facets, from cultivation to the table, Aset requires a professional approach: "The idea - the president told us, Stefano Tesi - it is to promote cohesion and dialogue among carefully selected colleagues. Members must all be members of the Order of Journalists and follow the rules, they must be sincere about their activity and carry it out clearly and truthfully ". Currently, the members are 35, on a potential pool of over one hundred journalists. "We are a multi-faceted reality, made up of freelancers, editors, magazine editors, critics and consultants. We come from TV, print media, internet. And there are also a few foreigners: Turks, Germans, Americans ".

There are many public activities and conferences proposed by the association, which collaborates with the Accademia della Crusca and with a historical institution like the Florentine Georgofili Academy. "Recently - explains Tesi - a study by Aset led to the first census of the Tuscan flat (for those who do not know, a kind of focaccia). And every year we set up awards, such as the international one for the smartest oenologist under 35 or the national one for the food and wine journalist, always under 35, more unconventional. "

For the regulation that has been given, the Aset seems in contrast with the world of bloggers. "We have no prejudice - explains Tesi - but we must understand each other: if the writer on a blog is a journalist and follows the professional rules, no problem. If it is not, explain what work it does. It's too easy to be a journalist without following the rules of the game ". This theme will be addressed during the Festival of Food Journalism: "And we will follow him with interest - concludes Tesi - as indeed the entire event. It will be an excellent opportunity to get to know and understand. But also to let us know and make ourselves understood".

by Daniele Angi