Robert Zakar gives back to community

Truffle The Dog's Distinctive Markings Get Heads Turning

If it's looks you want but without people staring at you, then Truffle is your dog.

Sweet, adorable, gentle — but also very timid — this stunningly marked fellow looks like he just emerged from the jungle or just stepped off the savanna. His background is unknown but he's definitely closer to his roots than most. He's believed to have some Kai Ken in him, a rare breed of Japanese dog whose markings are often along this line but not nearly so distinct.

Truffle was born in March and came to ARK with five of his siblings. Wary and worried, after he gets a bit comfortable with you, you'll find he starts to lean on you, heavily. Interpret this as if he shows you his worried face, you've captured his soul. He needs time to trust people but we're pretty sure it's just a matter of time.

Truffle is expected to become quite big, perhaps about 20 kilograms, but loves walks and he'd doing great with leash training. He'd possibly be a good match for a companion dog — one that is relaxed and happy, not the kind that would add to his worries. Healthy and handsome, Truff is going to turn heads. We hope he'll turn yours.

If you are interested in adopting, email ARK at Tokyoark@arkbark.Net or call 050-1557-2763 English or Japanese) Monday to Saturday (bilingual) for more information. Animal Refuge Kansai (with offices in Kansai and Tokyo) is an NPO founded by U.K. Native Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Prospective owners are required to undergo a screening process. Web: www.Arkbark.Net

Fungus Among Us: It's Time For All Things Truffle

Truffles are a food people tend to either love or hate.  (iStock)

Much like black licorice, coriander, lamb and Brussels sprouts, truffles are a food people tend to either love or hate. There's a scientific reason behind why this wildly expensive foodstuff that's notoriously difficult to cultivate is a divider of opinions. The chemical named androstenone, responsible for the truffle's earthy, musky scent, is imperceivable to roughly a quarter of the population. Moreover, around 40% of us find androstenone utterly intolerable, likening its scent to that of rotten wood or sweat.

Even if you're not within that third of the population physically wired to enjoy truffles, you can still enjoy the thrill of the chase or the taste of the wines that pair so well with dishes garnished with truffles.

In order for truffles to grow, they need an alkaline, nutrient-rich soil provided by trees such oaks, beech, hazels or poplar. The European countries most commonly associated with truffles include France, Italy, Croatia, and Spain. Other countries produce them too, albeit in far lesser quantities. Here are a few means by which to experience truffles this autumn season and beyond:

Truffle fairs: On all weekends up to Dec. 3, gourmets will find their happy place in Alba, a small city in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, northern Italy. For over 80 years, visitors have flocked to this city recently officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional vineyard landscape. They eagerly make this trek to indulge in the products showcased at the Fiera Internationale Tartufo Bianco de Alba, or International White Truffle Fair of Alba.

The heart of the fair is the Alba White Truffle World Market, where truffles from the local area are sold by traders working under the auspices of a quality control commission. Nearby, regional specialties and fine wines are offered. The program is rounded off by folkloric events, a donkey palio (race), cooking demos, dinners prepared by top chefs, cookery classes, guided wine tastings and entertainment including live music. It's wise to book places in any desired courses or tastings in advance of your visit. Online: fieradeltartufo.Org/en/truffle-fair/

A number of other truffle fairs are organized throughout Italy, to include the Truffle Fair in Moncalvo, Piedmont, scheduled for Oct. 22 and 29; the National White Truffle Fair of Acqualagna in Urbino (Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 1, 4-5, and 11-12); the National White Truffle Exhibition in San Miniato, Tuscany (Nov. 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26) and the His Majesty the Truffle festival In Brisighella, Ravenna (Nov. 19).

Truffle hunts: In Croatia's Istrian Peninsula, it's possible to take part in a truffle-hunting experience year-round. One such opportunity is provided by the Karlic family, whose third generation now leads the hunt for truffles. Following the host's talk about truffles and the truffle-hunting tradition, a search using the family's special hunting dogs is undertaken. The experience ends with a tasting of truffle products and the opportunity to pick up exceptional items in the shop. Online: karlictartufi.Hr/en/lov-na-tartufe

Truffle museum: Maison de la Truffe d'Occitanie, or Museum of the Truffle of Occitania, offers visitors a crash course in all things truffle-related. As visitors make their way through several thematic rooms filled with interactive audiovisual aids, they will learn about the truffle's history, environment, cultivation, harvest and contribution to gastronomy. The visit concludes with a visit to a shop selling local delicacies. The museum, located in the town of Villeneuve-Minervois in the Aude department and Occitanie region of France, is open daily most days of the year. Adult entry to the museum costs 7.50 euros; children ages seven through 14 pay 4.50 euros, and those ages six and under enter free. Online: maisondelatruffedoccitanie.Com

All things truffle: The English Truffle Company, formed in 2010, has been a major player in leading a renaissance of an all-but-forgotten industry. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, England had a moderately thriving truffle industry, and since around 2000, interest in English truffles has renewed. Since its founding, the company has found significant quantities of truffles from woodland sites across southern England. Working in a responsible, sustainable manner, the company supplies leading restaurants, wholesalers, retailers and food manufacturers with a range of high-quality products. The company offers truffle hunting experience days in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire from October to January. Its other activities include running truffle dog training workshops and renting out dogs and their handlers to landowners curious to find out if the fungus known as black gold just might lie beneath their feet. Online: englishtruffles.Co.Uk

Delight In The Magic Of Truffle Season At Lungarno Collection

(MENAFN- Dubai PR Network) Delight in the Magic of Truffle Season at Lungarno Collection

Lungarno Collection, known for curating exceptional hospitality experiences, is celebrating the arrival of Italy's much-awaited truffle season. Across its three Portrait hotel locations, Milan, Florence, and Rome, Lungarno Collection offers an exclusive journey into the captivating world of truffles this fall.

Guests at Lungarno Collection's Michelin-starred restaurant, Borgo San Jacopo, located just moments away from the Portrait Firenze, Florence, are invited to immerse themselves in the exquisite world of truffle gastronomy through the carefully curated a la carte menu. Chef Claudio Mengoni has crafted a masterful menu, showcasing the finest Italian ingredients in dishes such as the delectable Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with hen consomm and black truffle.

To further enrich your culinary journey, guests can also savour the degustazione menu, AUTUMN, with its dedicated dish: Mushroom Soup with Porcini, Chantarelles and Trumpets, with buffalo ricotta and black truffle. The fine flavour of the truffle perfectly harmonises with Sommelier Salvatore Biscotti's selection of approximately a thousand wine labels, from both renowned estates and artisanal, small-scale producers.

For our more adventurous guests and families, truffle season presents a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the classic truffle hunt. Savini Tartufi, a local family-run business whose passion for truffle spans four generations, offers exclusive truffle hunts. Here, you can join skilled truffle hunters and their delightful, specially trained dogs in the heart of the Tuscan forest, creating an unforgettable and exhilarating truffle-hunting experience.

At Savini Tartufi, you can also indulge in personalised truffle tastings, ranging from lunch options to snacks and dinner offerings, to get a taste of the best fresh seasonal truffles. Alternatively, you can step behind the stove in the 'A Tutto Tartufo' - Truffle Experience, a cooking class where you can unveil the secrets of crafting authentic truffle delicacies. Under the expert guidance of Savini Tartufi's skilled chefs, guests can discover the nuances of truffle-infused cuisine.

Travellers seeking to explore a range of Italy's breathtaking destinations during truffle season can also opt for a a brief sojourn in Lungarno Collection's exceptional facilities in Milan or Rome. In Milan, the heart of the fashion district hosts the exquisite Portrait Milano, while the vibrant ambiance of Rome can be experienced from the comfort of Portrait Roma, a 5-star boutique hotel nestled in the city's most exclusive shopping district.

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