The Fourth Edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World (La Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo), a project of the Italian government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation that celebrates the promotion of the Italian cuisine, has taken place around the globe between 18 to 24 November 2019.

The presentation of the week-long event to the press and guests took place on the 11th of November at Officina Farneto. The program was moderated by Vincenzo de Luca, Director General for the Promotion of the Country System (MAECI) with guest speakers Teresa Bellanova, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies; Manlio di Stefano, Undersecretary of the State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Luigi Pio Scordamaglia, Counselor of ICE Agency Administration and President of Filiera Italia and other authorities on Italian gastronomy. A showcooking was also conducted by Rocco Pozzulo, President of the Federazione Italiana Cuochi (Federation of Italian Chefs).

Now on its fourth edition, the theme chosen for this year is "Food Education: The Culture of Taste". More than a thousand activities like conferences, concerts, exhibitions, tastings, gala dinners and cooking courses were coordinated by the 300 diplomatic and consular offices of Italy present in different principal cities of the world. It was a substantial effort in promoting the territories with their respective excellence in gastronomy, the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet which is one of the focal points of the event, and in effect, protecting the authenticity of the Italian culinary tradition.

Special attention was given to the Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadine (Hills of the Prosecco of Conegliano and Valdobbiadine) which is celebrating its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List this year, as well as the celebration of the 500th death anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci, the man who invented various innovative kitchen gadgets.