With so many brilliant independent businesses popping up in and around Oxford, it only feels right to kickstart another ‘behind the scenes’ interview series, where the Bitten team chat to different foodie biz owners and find out about what inspired them, the story behind their businesses, and what’s next for them!
Il Corno, sitting in the Covered Market between Gulp Fiction and Tap Social, is a charming little Neapolitan food spot, serving up panuozzi- ‘one of the most iconic dishes of Neapolitan street-food‘. A panuozzo is a long and flat sandwich made from pizza dough that can be filled with various delicious things. Il Corno also offers unique Neapolitan drinks and snacks, including taralli (round cracker biscuits, often with a fennel flavour) which are dangerously moreish.
The amazing thing about this family business is no one came to this idea with a long history or experience in the food and drink industry. Fanny worked for a little while in Mamma Mia pizzeria and has some catering experience abroad, but most of her career has been spent in the academic world (including studying for her Masters here in Oxford). Her mother,Barbara, is also from the world of academia, and specialised in English tourism in Naples. Fanny’s father, is an engineer and architect. However, something they all have in common is their love, passion, and dedication for Italy and specifically Neapolitan culture and food.
The idea of Il Corno came to Fanny while she was studying here in Oxford, and as she finished her PhD, her vision and inspiration persuaded her family on board pretty quickly.
I spent a lovely morning with Fanny, founder of Il Corno, and her brilliant mum, Barbara. We chatted about Italy, food, Oxford, food, Neapoletan culture, food… you get the gist. Lots of food chat.
I also sat down with Fanny and fired a few questions at her, read on to get all the deets!
How did Il Corno start?
It all started as a mission to bring Neapolitan culture to Oxford. I have links to the university, as well as cultural and historical links to the Naples area. I wanted to bring Naples and its culture to Oxford via people’s mouths, through eating. In the UK, people tend to know about more traditional Italian food like pizza and pasta, but not the more niche food types. a panuozzo (the famous hot sandwiches that Il Corno is all about!) comes from the ‘pane and pizza’ combo, a more niche snack, which shows Italian culture through food in a less conventional way.
The name Il Corno comes from the Neapolitan amulet that wards off bad luck. (I should know, I have multiple jewellery items with the corno amulet due to my own Italian heritage). The symbol was inspired by the Greek god Priapus, essentially representing a certain male organ to symbolise fertility and luck. It used to have a more phallic shape before it was censored by Christianity to make it more family friendly (quite glad as not sure a phallic symbol on a necklace is quite as charming as the chilli shape…)
I wanted to bring authentic Neapolitan culture to Oxford, not just the sound of the mandolin and the endless pizza, but more specific cultural elements. Even the music we play here is Neapolitan, all the wine we serve is from Naples or close by. All the decor is inspired by Neapolitan culture and symbols. You’re really in Naples when you come here!
‘I’m really keen for Il Corno to be a hub for culture and not just for food’
What does Il Corno have in store for the future?
I’m really keen for Il Corno to be a hub for culture and not just for food. We’ve organised tombola (Neapolitan bingo) events and some literary events too which have all been really popular. Both Italians living in Oxford who attend for a slice of home, or locals who just love soaking up the culture and food (who can blame ’em!) make up our clientele.
There’s a lot in the pipeline event-wise. Coming up is a ‘Neapolitan Hauntings’ themed creative writing session for Halloween, and an Italian culture quiz is coming soon too!
What’s your favourite thing on the menu?
I always go for ‘Il Corno’. Fiordilatte mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, extra virgin olive oil. It’s our version of a margherita. Super simple but you just can’t go wrong. I also recommend either the Mbriana or Munaciello as are both named after Neapolitan culture icons, and both have friarelli which are from the broccoli family (but even tastier!) so if you’re feeling more adventurous these are both good options.
What’s your favourite Neapoletan phrase and what does it mean?
‘Steveme scarz’i’ which means ‘that’s all we needed’, most often used in a sarcastic manner, as a way of getting through when something goes wrong (I think everyone can relate to needing to use a phrase like this every now and then!)
It may sound cliche but it really felt like an authentic and warm Italian family atmosphere at Il Corno.
Both Fanny and Barbara chatted away as they tidied and cooked around me, serving customers and offering me bites to eat, showing me how the panuozzi are made. I’ve not been back to the part of Italy that I’m from for a couple of years now, and being with them made me both comforted to be in the midst of such a hub for Italian culture, and also a pang of sadness came across me at how much I missed Italy.
Safe to say I’m well overdue a trip to Italy ASAP to fill the Italy void, but it’s so nice to know that Il Corno is now the Italy away from Italy we didn’t know we needed here in Oxford, but are certainly glad it’s here.
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