Italian food excellence showcased in Quebec

Italian cuisine has arrived in the political and institutional heart of Quebec, a Canadian province which is key for Italian food exports. The Quebec National Assembly hosted a gala dinner on 18 April, organised by the Italian Consulate General with the Italian Trade Agency in Canada. Sixty MNAs and 10 ministers of the province were invited. It was an opportunity to promote Italy’s top food products, the trademarks that protect geographical origins and the spreading of the Italian style as part of the “Italian Way of Life” campaign.A partner to the event was the Quebec Institut de tourisme et d’hotellerie, one of the most prestigious cooking schools in the country, whose director is former Italo-Canadian Cabinet Minister, Lisa Frulla. Italian Consul General, Marco Riccardi Rusconi, highlighted the leitmotiv linking the event to Expo Milan 2015 – the relations between diet, health, well-being, sustainability and fighting waste. Sandra di Carlo, Deputy Trade Commissioner, ICE Canada, explained PDO and PGI certified brands and the measures Italy uses to protect its top-quality products. Jacques Chagnon, President of the National Assembly of Quebec, said Italy has a leading role in the culinary and gastronomic field.The event was aimed at Quebec as the province has been very welcoming to Italy’s agri-food products. It accounts for 50% of Italian wine exports to Canada, which contributes to the large increase of 23% in Italy’s food and beverage exports to the country in the first two months of this year.