Biography
He is President of the social promotion association Tortellante in Modena, which is aimed at young adults with autism spectrum: it is a project that combines gastronomic tradition, social inclusion and training, a school of autonomy and a workshop that allows them to build a future through the production of fresh handmade pasta, a symbol of Modena tradition. Founded in 2016 by Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore, Tortellante teaches around 20 people with autism how to make handmade pasta, with the help of ‘redzore’ grandmothers, operators and volunteers. The young people in the workshop were the focus of a study conducted by a multidisciplinary team from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, together with Tortellante's scientific staff and the supervision of Modena's Azienda USL. The study assessed the impact on the participants of the Tortellante, measuring the symptomatic trend of adaptive behaviour and social skills, and demonstrated that active inclusion in work environments does not only provide productive capacity, but also positively influences social and communicative skills through daily contact with other people in the work environment, improving the quality of life in young people with autism.