Italy: Rome hosts international truffle auction

Rome, 26 Nov. (AKI) - A huge truffle from the central Tuscany region weighing almost a kilo and other prize specimens will be sold to the highest bidder at an international charity auction taking place in Rome on Saturday.

The massive Tuscan truffle, weighing more than 900 grammes, was dug up on Tuesday by Italian truffle-hunter Cristiano Savini and his dog Giotto in Palaia, in the province of Pisa.

During the autumn truffle season in Italy, restaurants offer pasta and other dishes containing the delicacy at sky-high prices. Truffles grow mainly in central and northern Italy: among the most famous are those from Alba in the northern Piedmont region.

A 350 gramme truffle from the southern region of Molise will also go under the hammer at Saturday's auction, taking place at a top Rome restaurant, La Pergola. Similar auctions are also being held on Saturday in London and Macau at Christie's and will be relayed to the Italian capital via satellite.

"The idea of a major international event that puts our country in the media spotlight by focusing on one of our most unique, amazing, fascinating products, the white truffle," said the event's organiser and creator, Giselle Oberti.

"We're sure this third edition of the auction will attract many people," she said, noting that the event has had growing success.

"The Chinese are great connoisseurs of this precious fruit of the earth. They are tenacious buyers and sometimes outbid Arab sheikhs."

Oberti will be auctioning the truffles, together with TV presenter Massimo Giletti. A host of stars are attending, including members of Italian light rock group Pooh, and pop diva Patti Pravo.

The proceedings from Saturday's auction in Rome will go to the Italian charity Operation Smile, which helps provide surgery for children will cleft palates and other facial deformities. The proceeds of the London auction are destined for the British charity cancer research. Money raised at the Macao event will be donated to the Special Olympics for the disabled.