On the occasion of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, the Embassy of Italy in Niamey, in collaboration with the professional training school (AACCES), inaugurated the first edition of “Master Chef Niger” by Marco Ferrari. After receiving specific training on Italian gastronomy from Chef Ferrari, the students assembled before a technical and tasting jury, to present dishes inspired by the Italian and Nigerian culinary traditions.
The winner was offered an apprenticeship contract from a major international hotel group in Niamey. The competition was sponsored by Mohamed Hamid, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Crafts of Niger, who also chaired the jury. He thanked Italy for its initiative to support the training of young people, which is a keystone for his country’s economic development. He also emphasised that genuine cuisine, using quality products, is part of the cultural identity of a people and is a driving force for growth for the development of a place.
The closing evening of “Master Chef Niger” had 100 guests including government representatives, Niger authorities, and exponents of the diplomatic community. As part of the events organised by the Embassy, a conference on gastronomy as a driving force for growth was also held at the Faculty of Agriculture of Moumouni University of Niamey, curated by Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, professor of Food Diplomacy at the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo. Finally, the programme for the Week of Italian Cuisine included an evening dedicated to World “Cacio e Pepe” Day, with a special menu created by Marco Ferrari at the Italian restaurant “Le Pilier”, which has been in Niger since 1988 and is considered a real institution in the country. In addition, throughout the week the Epicerie du Levant store in Niamey dedicated a corner to Italian products.
