29-04-2016
At the end, you see Cesare Battisti, Cristina Bowerman, Enzo Coccia and Giulio Terrinoni discussing intensely about things to do and deadlines to meet, perspective and additions. The Government’s promise to support Italian fine dining in its role of ambassador of our excellence abroad is taking shape, becoming concrete, chefs are already speaking of actions: the first Settimana della Cucina Italiana di qualità will take place between the 21st and 27th November in 130 countries around the world, that is to say wherever our country has diplomatic offices, obviously in different ways depending on the country.
Over one thousand events are planned, an unprecedented effort nobody ever attempted; there well be a different programme in each country, obviously following general indications. And this will be repeated every late November, every year. This was discussed a few hours ago during a meeting of the Work group for the valorisation Italian fine dining abroad: with ministries, those who have already signed the Protocol for Italian cuisine (Foreign Affairs, Agricultural Policies, Education, plus, in the next few days, Economic Development); Ice, Enit, Cinecittà, Rai World, Anica, Assocamere, Conferenza Stato-Regioni, Coni, Federazione italiana cuochi, Unione italiana vini, Federlegnoarredo, Società Dante Alighieri, Istituto Luce, Alitalia were also present. As well as Identità Golose, together with four chefs, those with whom we began this story.
Vincenzo De Luca, general director at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ivan Scalfarotto, Economic Development undersecretary, Maurizio Martina, Agricultural Policies minister, Paolo Gentiloni Foreign Affairs ministers, Benedetto della Vedova undersecretary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry at the presentation of the Protocol for Italian cuisine, last 14th March
Another example: Cinecittà and Anica will take care of the film side of the project, supplying films that illustrate how our food has become part of the history of cinema; Alitalia will be asked to promote this event in the skies, perhaps with special dishes; Assocamere, Enit and Ice will define a rich programme of product tastings, cooking demos and special dinners, a bit everywhere; the 1,700 restaurants abroad under Assocamere’s “Ospitalità italiana” brand will be involved, presenting menus designed for the occasion; there will be seminars and master classes, while 8 Italian schools in the world and 45 comprehensive schools will teach gastronomy to their pupils.
Cesare Battisti, Cristina Bowerman, Giulio Terrinoni and Enzo Coccia at the meeting of the Work group for the valorisation of Italian fine dining abroad
Cesare Battisti intervened highlighting a paradox: we’ll end up promoting the best Italian raw materials even where they don’t arrive, replaced by their terrible local imitations. True, was the answer: yet our high quality production is not enough to be all around the world, and by valorising its excellence this will also stimulate incoming tourism. Bowerman suggested to contact US culinary arts schools so as to plan, on those days, some lessons with Italian speakers, «they’d be happy!». Many ideas were presented, and this time it looks like we’re really about to begin.
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by
journalist born in 1974, for many years he has covered politics, mostly, and food in his free time. Today he does exactly the opposite and this makes him very happy. As soon as he can, he dives into travels and good food. Identità Golose's editor in chief