Flavours, music and poetry were the highlights of the opening event of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World in Paris (19-25 November). In the halls of the Italian Embassy, Ambassador Teresa Castaldo offered a gala dinner with the Michelin-star-winning chefs from 8 restaurants belonging to the ‘Unione Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo’. The evening opened with the music of baritone Nicola Alaimo, which dovetailed with the specialty dishes of ‘La Manuelina’ in Recco, ‘Al Cavallino Bianco’ in Polesine Parmense, ‘I 5 Campanili’ in Busto Arsizio, ‘Mori Venice Bar’ in Paris, ‘La Fefa’ in Finale Emilia, ‘Masuelli’ in Milan, ‘Ristorante Jim’ in Grosio and ‘Lo Stuzzichino’ in Massa Lubrense.
The rich panorama of Italy’s food and wine excellences presented by the chefs was accompanied with a performance by the actors of the ‘Il menù della poesia’ (‘Menu of Poetry’) group who invited participants to choose from a menu of poetic verses to hear during their dinner. The event also offered the opportunity to illustrate to the media all the initiatives on programme for the Week. The list of events includes a chat dedicated to Gualtiero Marchesi and two workshops on Umbrian cuisine at the Italian Cultural Institute with the participation, among others, of Gianfranco Vissani. The initiatives will also stretch to Dijon, with an Italian wine-tasting event entitled ‘In Vino Verit’art’, co-organised by the Consulate General and the Chamber of Commerce of Lyon and the Mairie of the City. Moreover, the period from 12 to 25 November witnessed the relaunch of the ‘The Passport of Taste’, the agreement with more than 200 restaurants, pizzerias and Italian ‘épiceries fines’ in Paris to offer discounts and special menus.