The Italian Embassy in Ghana is set to celebrate the eighth edition of Italian Cuisine Week with a dinner event showcasing and offering gourmet Italian recipes paired with wines from the twenty (20) wine-producing regions of Italy. Organized in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), the Italian Cuisine Week has been a useful diplomatic tool in bringing to the world an important aspect of Italian life – its food and wine. This year’s invitation-only event to be held at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador, will see guests drawn from government ministries and agencies, the business community, the diplomatic corps and other selected food and wine enthusiasts.
Italian cuisine, celebrated around the world for its bold flavours and fresh ingredients, is much more than just food – it is a reflection of Italy’s rich cultural history. It is thus not surprising that Italy’s rich and healthy Mediterranean diet has earned it UNESCO recognition as part of the World Cultural Heritage.
Commenting on the significance of the Cuisine Week celebrations, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Daniela d’Orlandi says “Italy’s food and wine reflect the rich and diversified environment of Italy, its history and art, its creativity and craftsmanship, its technology and traditions.” It is for this reason that Italy loves to “celebrate and enjoy the uniqueness of its food and wines” she adds.
On his part, Dr. Alessandro Gerbino, the Director of ITA for West Africa underscores the need to improve bilateral relations between Italy and West Africa with the goal of boosting trade and economies of the partner countries. “Italy can bring a larger number of products meeting the expectations of the Ghanaian consumers, particularly in the higher segments of the market. The number of people in Ghana aspiring to quality products is growing constantly, and no country like Italy can offer such a large basket of food and wine products that combine health, quality and a strong identity. Several Ghanaian companies have started new collaborations with Italian suppliers that are giving strong results, and we hope more will be encouraged to do so. The annual Italian Cuisine Week offers an important occasion to showcase a selection of products, and can certainly be a starting point for new partnerships.” he reiterates.
Partner companies for this year’s celebrations include IMEXCO Ghana Ltd., Dogal & TAD Group, Don Emilio Ltd., Say Cheers, Panific and Barona. Others are Pomona Restaurant, Newco Catering and Logistics Ltd., and Pinocchio.
