The 8th edition of Settimana della Cucina Italiana 2023 – Italian Cuisine Week Worldwide – is underway, running until November 19th. The event was presented at the Farnesina International Conference Hall, attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, the Minister of Culture Sangiuliano, and distinguished representatives from the Italian Supply Chain and the Italian Federation of Chefs.
Promoted by the network of Italian Embassies, Consulates, Italian Cultural Institutes, and ICE Offices, the initiative aims to celebrate culinary traditions, promote Italian agri-food excellences, and support exportation, internationalization, and tourism.
The Extraordinary Italian Taste
“The Extraordinary Italian Taste” drives the event, expressing its goals in enhancing the culinary traditions of different Italian regions and promoting the Mediterranean Diet as a model for a healthy and balanced lifestyle.Simultaneously, the initiative seeks to raise awareness about identifying genuine Made in Italy products, distinguishing them from imitations through the dissemination and understanding of authentic Italian products and dishes.
Over a Thousand Events for Settimana della Cucina Italiana 2023
Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani emphasized the crucial role of Italian Cuisine Week Worldwide in conquering new markets, describing Italian food and products as a flagship of the country. Over a thousand events are expected from today until November 19th, spanning 316 diplomatic, consular, and Italian cultural institute locations worldwide. These events aim to celebrate the diverse biocultural traditions reflecting Italy’s diversity.
“Through our 250,000 restaurants spread worldwide, we have the opportunity,” emphasized Minister Lollobrigida, “to explain that Italian cuisine is a serious matter, and it should be made with certified products. This is despite the critical issues we face, such as ‘Italian sounding,’ which involves the use of products that have nothing to do with our typical ingredients but are instead falsely marketed as Italian products.”
Among the many planned initiatives are “Storia della cucina italiana a fumetti” created with the contribution of the Italian Academy of Cuisine, “Italianisms in the world” in collaboration with Casa Artusi, and a project promoting olive oil and wine with the support of Gambero Rosso.
Creating the Academy of Italian Enogastronomic Culture
During the evening, the Academy of Italian Enogastronomic Culture was introduced, a joint initiative of Filiera Italia, Coldiretti, and Campagna Amica with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Academy aims to promote and showcase true Made in Italy food globally, highlighting the qualitative, safety, nutritional, and sustainability values of Italian enogastronomy.
“A practical and operational tool, based on eight modules accessible on a digital platform and two experiential workshops on oil and wine, aimed at professionals and operators in the food service industry, as well as foreign networks involved in the representation and promotion of the agri-food sector. From universities to the most prestigious international culinary and hotel schools, to buyers and economic operators, to embassies and foreign chamber networks.”
Italian Cuisine Heritage of Humanity
On March 23, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, represented by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, and the Ministry of Culture, represented by Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, launched the UNESCO candidacy of Italian Cuisine for inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“With this initiative, for which I thank Minister Sangiuliano, we want to relaunch our Italy worldwide, enhancing the heritage we have in all sectors,” stated Lollobrigida. “We just need to know how to tell, defend, and protect our excellences, which represent added value for our nation.”
Through this initiative, Italy aims to enhance its global presence, showcasing the heritage it possesses across all sectors. Italian cuisine, as a mosaic of local knowledge, reflects the biocultural diversity of the country. It is an ethical and sustainable cuisine promoting the full use of foods, the recovery of surplus food, and the use of seasonal products.
“The Italian cuisine means promoting the idea of the quality of life and the Italian way of life, which consists of art, culture, landscapes, monuments, and experiences like those of food excellences,” emphasized Minister Sangiuliano.
Minister Lollobrigida concluded, stating that there is no need to explain why Italian cuisine deserves to be considered UNESCO intangible heritage to be protected, representing not only a heritage for the 60 million Italians living in the country but also for the over 80 million Italian descendants worldwide and for all those who appreciate and love Italian food.
Italian Food in Space
On December 14, during a press conference at the Italian Embassy in Washington, as announced by Minister Lollobrigida, the official announcement of the initiative will be made in the presence of astronauts. They will eat Italian dishes during the pre-mission quarantine and have Italian food in orbit, details of which the minister is keeping confidential.