Mediterranean Games: not just pizza and orecchiette, what (and where) the athletes eat

At the Games Mediterranean not just sports. 273 chefs are at work catering to the 3,800 athletes 26 countries who participate in the ongoing event a Taranto.

At the Mediterranean Games lunches and dinners on ship

Athletes’ lunches and dinners are held on the ship from Arabian cruise Aroya “to encourage moments of meeting and sharing between athletes and delegations – explains the organizing committee of the Games – while breakfast is also available on Romantika”, the ferry that runs alongside the Aroya; both units are moored in the naval base from the Navy in Mar Grande in Taranto.

“Proteins and lean meats”

In particular, the restaurant service is active from 5 in the morning to 1 at night. Aroya’s menu has been optimized along with the organizing committeeto the athletes commission and to the medical commission of the international Games committee to respond to the nutritional needs of athletes, “with particular attention to proteins and lean meats and an offer suitable for different nationalities”.

Pasta and pizza

Within the international proposal, a central role has been reserved for Italian and Apulian cuisine. The pizza it is present every day, as is the pasta. The menu also includes products from Apulian territory like bread from Altamura and Laterza, Orecchiettefocaccia from Bari, pasticciotti and mostaccioli.

Fifteen different nationalities

An Italian chef is also present in the brigade to ensure the preparation of Italian dishes. Aroya’s cuisine brings together 15 different nationalities and responds to different dietary needscultural and religious delegations, with a 100% halal service“attention – states the committee – particularly appreciated by the athletes of many nations participating in the Games”.

The catering numbers

These are the numbers of the athletes’ catering: every day up to 4,000 lunches and dinners are served, 350 kilos of pasta4.500 egg1.000-1.500 pastiesget ready on board, 1,200 pizzas and almost 600 kilos between pollobeef and fish. Pizza and pasta are the gastronomic offerings most appreciated by athletes.