The Embassy of Italy in Athens dedicated the 11th Week of Italian Cuisine in the World to Lombardy’s culinary excellence, celebrating the recognition of Italian cuisine as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with the ITA Office in Athens and the Lombardy Region, saw the participation of a regional delegation led by Alessandro Beduschi, Councillor for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, and fifteen consortia, which showcased wine, cheese and cured meats embodying Lombardy’s tradition.
Chef Stefano Grandi of the restaurant ‘Il Santa’in Milan brought the flavours of Lombard cuisine to Athens through original menus, an event at the Italian restaurant ‘Sole Giaguaro’ and a masterclass at the IEK-AKMI School of Gastronomy and Tourism, dedicated to traditional regional cooking methods and recipes.
Ambassador Paolo Cuculi hosted in his residence a gala dinner and the reception ‘Journey to Lombardy Food Excellence’, which brought together over 300 guests. Participants included the Minister for Tourism, Kefalogianni; the Chairman of the Greece–Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group, Ypsilantis; the Director-General of the Revenue Agency, Pitsilis; the Deputy Minister for the Environment and Energy, Soukouli Viliali; the President of the Council of State, Pikrameos; and the National Security Advisor, Dokos, alongside representatives from Greek institutions and the business, cultural and media sectors. As highlighted by Councillor Beduschi and Ambassador Cuculi, the event helped to promote Lombardy’s and Italy’s food and wine products and brands in Greece, a market in which Italian agri-food exports exceed one billion euros annually.
The event also showcased other Italian companies of the highest standard, such as Campari, Ferrero, Lavazza and Barilla.
