IX week of the Italian cuisine in the world

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World – Settimana della Cucina italiana nel Mondo is back for its ninth edition from Monday, 18th of November to Sunday, 24th of November, 2024. Under the theme “Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Roots: Health and Tradition,” the event will celebrate the incredible health benefits of this iconic dietary model while highlighting Italy’s rich culinary heritage, with a particular focus on one of the country’s most prized ingredients: the truffle.

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, with more than 10,000 initiatives organized in the past 8 years among 100 countries, is an international annual event for food lovers to celebrate Italian cuisine all around the world. The Week of Italian Cuisine is also an important business opportunity to promote Italian agri-food in the Irish market in the context of trade between Italy and Ireland which grew by 26% in 2023, reaching almost a value of €11 billion. With regards to the first semester 2024, total Italian export of agrifood products to Ireland has passed 128 ml euro (+9,7% with respect to the same period of the previous year). The Italian importation of Irish agri-food products has also slightly grown by +0,4%.

Organized by the Embassy of Italy in Dublin in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency with office in London, the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin and the Italian National Tourist Board, this year’s event promises a week of gastronomic exploration, education, and sustainability. The initiative is part of Italy’s ongoing efforts to promote its food and wine culture around the world, with the aim of supporting exports, internationalization, and tourism. This year’s edition in Ireland will be sponsored by San Pellegrino Waters and Caratti Giancarlo Truffles.

Key Objectives of the 2024 Week

1. Promote the Mediterranean Diet: The goal is to highlight the scientifically proven health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, including its ability to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, support weight management, and promote overall well-being.
2. Showcase Italian Food and Wine in Ireland: This year’s edition will focus on the rich variety of Italian cuisine, with an emphasis on truffles as a symbol of Italy’s culinary legacy. Truffles, an iconic and luxurious ingredient, also represent the sustainable farming practices that protect the Italian landscape.

EVENT 1: “The Truffle Hunters” – Film Screening & Truffle Tasting

To kick off the Week of Italian Cuisine, the Odeon Cinema in Dublin will host a unique blend of cinema, education, and gastronomy. The event will feature the documentary film “The Truffle Hunters”, a fascinating look into the secretive world of truffle hunting in northern Italy.

• Date: Monday, November 18th, 2024
• Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• Location: Odeon Cinema, Dublin (ODEON Point Square, E Wall Rd, North Wall, Dublin)

Agenda:

• Introduction: A 10-minute talk by Omar Lapecia from Slow Food, who will explain the ecological significance of truffles and their role in maintaining Italy’s biodiversity.
• Film Screening: “The Truffle Hunters” (2020), directed by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw. This documentary, which won critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, follows a group of elderly men in Piedmont as they hunt for the elusive Alba truffle with their trained dogs. The documentary, produced by Luca Guadagnino, offers a poignant look at a centuries-old tradition and the environmental significance of truffle hunting in Italy.
• Tasting: After the screening, guests will enjoy a selection of truffle-based dishes, curated by Doppiozero, an Italian restaurant who offers catering services in Dublin. Paired wines from Italy will complement the tasting experience.

This event is open to the public, offering an immersive look into the culture of truffle hunting and an opportunity to indulge in some of Italy’s finest culinary delights. Reserve your spot on Eventbrite.

EVENT 2: “Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Roots: Health and Tradition” – Conference & Tasting

On Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, the Hyatt Centric Hotel in Dublin will host a conference dedicated to exploring the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. The event will feature expert speakers who will discuss the science behind the diet, its positive impact on chronic disease prevention, and its role in promoting long-term health. On this day, the truffles will be supplied by the Caratti company. The gentleman is a truffle hunter from Alba.

• Date: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
• Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: Hyatt Centric Hotel, Dublin (Dean St, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 W3X7)

Agenda:

1. Seminar/Panel Discussion: Expert speakers, including Irish university professors and nutritionists, will discuss the Mediterranean diet’s impact on health. Topics will include the diet’s ability to prevent chronic diseases and its role in promoting longevity. Expert speakers will discuss the Mediterranean Diet’s role in health and disease prevention.
2. Presentation on Truffles: Learn about the environmental sustainability of truffle farming as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ initiative, Scent of Italy: The Truffle. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with this modular exhibition.
3. Food & Wine Tasting: Attendees will sample truffle-based dishes and regional Italian products, showcasing Italy’s rich culinary diversity. By invitation only. Confirmation required due to limited seating.

Pinocchio Magazine will join the conversation as Giuseppe Crupi , our editor will be one of the panellists.

Main speakers will also include:

• Doctor Simona Grasso, Lecturer and Assistant Professor in Food Science & Nutrition at University College Dublin in the School of Agriculture and Food Science
• Doctor Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, Senior Lecturer in the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology at Technological University Dublin.
• Leslie Williams, Journalist and Blogger who celebrates wine and food critic for the Irish Examiner.

This conference is an essential event for food buyers, nutritionists, food bloggers, and anyone passionate about health and Italian food culture.

The conference will be followed by a presentation by PhD Alessia Verri (University of Turin) on Truffles: a national resource and global brand.

EVENT 3: Italian Restaurants in Ireland – A Gastronomic Journey of the Mediterranean Diet

The Week of Italian Cuisine will also see a unique collaboration with top Italian restaurants in Dublin and Galway, who will be crafting special menus inspired by the Mediterranean Diet. This initiative encourages local eateries to showcase traditional Italian dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Among the restaurants, Pinocchio Restaurant will be offering a specially curated menu that celebrates the rich flavours of Italy, with a particular focus on truffles, an ingredient that embodies the very essence of Italian culinary tradition.

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