The Dolomites is known for world-class skiing, stunning scenery, and hearty food.
Up in the mountains, the cuisine is an Italian Austrian fusion: think Knödel (a type of dumpling) and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes).
But now, those hitting the slopes will also be able to pick up a bucket of fried chicken, a Zinger Tower meal, and perhaps even a tub of gravy.
Two new KFC restaurants are opening atop the area’s most famous resorts: Cortina d’Ampezzo and Madonna di Campiglio, and Italians are fare from thrilled.
National newspaper, Corriere Della Sera, reported that the decision has been criticised by government ministers, particuarly those responsible for food, tourism and agriculture.
Minister for tourism, Gianmarco Mazzi, told the publication he believes holidaymakers choose the Dolomites for the ‘authenticity’ of the food, pointing out that Italian cuisine is recognised by UNESCO.
He continued: ‘Certain decisions risk distorting the identity of our iconic places, making them the same as all the others.
‘The mountains should be valued for what they are, not standardised, because it is precisely their identity that makes them unique and attractive throughout the world.’
The two KFC restaurants will open on December 5, with the chicken giant saying the locations were chosen as a way to ‘surprise people,’ by ‘reaching places’ that are unexpected.
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But fast food outlets don’t quite have the same appeal in Italy as they do in other countries. After all, why would you opt for a greasy burger when you can have a quite bowl of pasta?
While Italians are no stranger to a Big Mac, there are just 805 branches in the country, compared to 1,505 in the UK.
It’s a similar situation with KFC. In the UK, there are 1,016 KFC restaurants, with just 150 in Italy (though there are plans to grow to 185 by the end of the year).
Plus, Italians are famously protective of their famous cuisine. Earlier this year, Davide Tamburella, was working at a restaurant in Australia, when he was fired for refusing to prepare a pizza with pineapple on it.
The chef was let go from the now-closed La Costa restaurant in Brisbane in May, following a meeting with management about a series of complaints concerning his behaviour.
One of the issues was his refusal to make ham and pineapple pizzas for guests at a function, which he described as an ‘insult to his culture.’
He reportedly told managers that their instructions ‘need not be followed when it is offensive to his culture’.
Online, tourists have had mixed reactions about the prospect of enjoying some KFC at Après.
On the r/UnderReportedNews Subreddit, @Plantherbs pointed out the ‘grease smell that will billow out,’ adding ‘so much for pristine mountain air.’
Meanwhile on Facebook, Brian Williams said: ‘If you’re in Italy and you want to eat KFC, you need to reevaluate your life choices.’
And Elizabeth-Soraya Matthews sarcastically wrote: ‘There’ll be a Wetherspoons opening next to it any day now.’
However, some felt those protesting against the infiltration of KFC were being snobbish, and needlessly preventing visitors from accessing affordable food on the slopes.
‘Just eat somewhere else,’ @AudibleNod wrote, while @Sedert1882 said ‘it’s a global brand and the slopes are a global attraction, so there’s synergy.
‘Get over yourselves.’
Metro has contacted KFC Italia for comment.
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