The Week of Italian Cuisine in Baghdad was celebrated and dedicated to gastronomic tradition as well as solidarity through projects for children in need. The protagonists of the events were the chefs of the SEML association (including chefs Tommaso De Rosa and Luigi Malafronte) and the Headmaster of the Hotel High School “de Gennaro” of Vico Equense, Salvador Tufano, who returned to the Iraqi capital city for the second year in a row.
The Gala Dinner offered by Italian Ambassador Maurizio Greganti to the international community living in Baghdad was greatly appreciated. During the dinner, an incredible menu was served: from veal risotto to buffalo mozzarella and the delizia al limone (lemon delight cake). The menu was a way to pay tribute to the variety and creativity of gastronomy in Italy, from the North to the South. The landmark Pizza Party, organized at the Embassy, was also greatly appreciated and attended, and allowed about 300 guests to taste the real pizza “Made in Naples”.
The three events dedicated to children were very significant: “Mani in pasta!” [Hands-on pastry!], an introduction to Italian pastry for kindergarten children; “Cuochi senza frontiere” [Chefs without borders], a biscuit-making game-lesson for children with disabilities and physical handicaps; and a visit to the Hisham Al Dahabi House of Creativity, a safe house for orphan children. Through these initiatives, the Italian team was able to show that the abundance of Italian cuisine lies not only in its endless gastronomic variety, but also in its role as a social aggregator and in its inclusiveness.
During the Week, courses held by chefs for the teachers and students at the Iraqi Institute for Tourism, and a workshop on the Mediterranean diet and its characteristics, once again for the young chefs at this school, were organized.
