The Embassy in Athens celebrates Italian Cuisine Week Around the World

(ANSA) - ATENE, 24 OTT - The Italian Embassy in Athens dedicated the eleventh edition of Italian Cuisine Week in the World to Lombardy’s culinary and wine excellence, celebrating this year’s recognition of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The event, held in collaboration with the ICE Office in Athens and the Lombardy Region—whose delegation was led by the Regional Councilor for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests—featured fifteen consortia from the region and their wines, cheeses, and cured meats, guardians of traditional excellence and promoters of their local areas. Chef Stefano Grandi of the “Il Santa” restaurant in Milan traveled from Italy to showcase the flavors of Lombard cuisine through original menus as part of a comprehensive program of events. Ambassador Paolo Cuculi’s residence hosted a gala dinner attended by prominent figures from Greek institutions and the Greek economic and cultural spheres, including Minister of Tourism Kefalogianni, the President of the Greece-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group, Ypsilantis; the Governor of the Revenue Agency, Pitsilis; and some of Greece’s leading shipowners and entrepreneurs. The program continued with an event for industry professionals and media representatives at the Italian restaurant “Sole Giaguaro” in Athens. The Ambassador’s Residence then hosted the “Journey to Lombardy Food Excellence” reception, attended by over 300 guests, including Deputy Minister of the Environment and Energy Soukouli Viliali, President of the Council of State Pikrameos, National Security Advisor Dokos, and representatives from institutions, the business community, the cultural sector, and the media, all of whom expressed unanimous appreciation for the variety and quality of the food and wine served. Chef Grandi also held a masterclass at the IEK-AKMI School of Gastronomy and Tourism in Athens, demonstrating techniques and recipes from Lombard cuisine to an audience of students. As emphasized by Councilor Beduschi and Ambassador Cuculi during the various events, Italian Cuisine Week in Athens laid the groundwork for raising the profile of Lombard and Italian food and wine products and brands in a market where Italian exports in the agri-food sector already exceed one billion euros annually. The event also highlighted other Italian companies of the highest caliber, such as Campari, Ferrero, Lavazza, and Barilla. The following organizations participated in the initiative: Provolone Valpadana Protection Consortium; Grana Padano Protection Consortium; Gorgonzola Protection Consortium; Taleggio Protection Consortium; Quartirolo Lombardo Protection Consortium; Salva Cremasco Protection Consortium; the Valtellina Casera and Bitto Protection Consortium; the Bresaola della Valtellina Protection Consortium; the Cacciatore Italiano Protection Consortium; the Lugana DOC Wines Protection Consortium; the Valtènesi Wines Consortium; the Oltrepò Pavese Wines Protection Consortium; Franciacorta Protection Consortium; Mantua Wines Protection Consortium; Valtellina Wines Protection Consortium; AS.CO.VI.LO. – Association of Lombard Wine Consortia; Antoniazzi Pastry Shop; Riserva San Massimo; Menini Pasta Factory.
Read article...