Oxford Covered Market shop to sell Naples food and drink

Named after the traditional Neapolitan amulet worn to bring good luck and prosperity, Il Corno is a new family-owned and Neapolitan-themed food and drinks business that will open on Sunday, November 19 in one of the central units of the historic market.

Fanny Clemente got the idea of opening a shop after studying in the city and she will run Il Corno with her mum and dad Franco and Barbara.

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Born and raised in Naples, Fanny has lived in Oxford for the last four years to study for a DPhil in Italian literature and culture at Oxford University, gaining experience in the made-in-Italy food and beverages business during her studies.

She said: "As a researcher in Italian literature and culture, with an interest in Neapolitan culture, I have always been driven by the desire to investigate and share with others the history of my distinctive home culture.

"I realised that sharing my research among the academic community was not enough and that I wanted to reach a bigger audience, so I decided to make a bigger fuss about it. 

"That’s where Il Corno comes from, a dream that coincides with a mission. This is to bring local Neapolitan culture all the way from the bay of Naples to the heart of Oxford, starting from its unique food and beverages culture."

Franco has a 40-year-old career as engineer and architect with specialisation in Italian design.

Barbara, the only Briton in the family, is a retired lecturer at the University of Naples with expertise on British tourism in Naples.

The new shop will be located at the centre of the market, between Gulp Fiction and The Market Tap by Tap Social.

Customers will be able to enjoy two of the most characteristic street foods from Neapolitan popular cuisine.

These are panuozzi, a sandwich made with pizza dough with different fillings, and taralli, a salty snack food which comes in different flavours and is made from animal fat or olive oil.

Wines, liqueurs, and other drinks from the Campania region and the South of Italy  will also be on sale.

And those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy the famous Neapolitan treat Rum Baba, and coffee from Naples.

The design of the unit is inspired by Neapolitan craftsmanship showcased in the narrow Naples street of San Gregorio Armeno.

There will be handcrafted products on display representing symbols of the city’s tradition of superstition, including the corno.

Franco said: “When Fanny proposed the project, both of us were making plans for retirement, deciding which country to visit on our journey around the world.

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"The more we talked about the project, the more we got passionate about it.

"Without us even realising it, we were back in Oxford, the place where it all started for us 40 years ago, in 1987, when we got married in Binsey church, while Barbara was doing her PGCI course."

Il Corno will be open from 11am to 5.30pm on Monday and Wednesday, from 11am to 11pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

It will be closed on Tuesday.