Ep 1. Amalfi

Gino's Italian Escape is a travel and food show hosted by Italian chef Gino D'Acampo. In season 1 episode 1, titled Amalfi, Gino takes us on a tour of the stunning Amalfi coast, one of the most beautiful regions in Italy.

The episode begins with Gino arriving at Naples airport, where he is greeted by a classic Italian car and driver. He then drives down the winding roads of the Amalfi coast, taking in the stunning scenery and pointing out landmarks such as Mount Vesuvius and the island of Capri.

Upon arriving in the town of Ravello, Gino introduces us to the local specialty of limoncello, a lemon liqueur that is made from the lemons grown on the Amalfi coast. He visits a local family-run limoncello factory, where he learns about the process of making the liqueur and gets to try some for himself.

Afterwards, Gino heads to a local restaurant where he meets the chef and takes a cooking lesson in making traditional Amalfi dishes. He learns how to make spaghetti alle vongole, a dish of spaghetti with clams, garlic, and white wine, and also makes a fresh tomato sauce to serve as a base for other dishes throughout the episode.

Next, Gino visits the town of Amalfi itself, where he takes a tour of the impressive cathedral and learns about its history and significance to the region. He also visits a local bakery to try the traditional sweet pastry called sfogliatella.

Throughout the episode, Gino emphasizes the importance of using fresh, local ingredients in Italian cooking. He visits the local fish market to choose some fresh seafood for dinner, and later in the episode he picks fresh herbs and vegetables from a local garden.

In the evening, Gino prepares a dinner using the fresh seafood and vegetables he picked up earlier in the day. He shows us how to make grilled squid with a tomato and olive oil dressing, roasted peppers with anchovies and capers, and a simple salad of cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.

Overall, season 1 episode 1 of Gino's Italian Escape is a delightful introduction to the Amalfi coast and its culinary traditions. Gino's enthusiasm for the local food and culture is infectious, and viewers will come away with a greater appreciation for the beauty and richness of Italian cuisine.