'Food is in our DNA' - Italy showcases its cuisine in global week-long event

Over 105 countries around the world are participating in the government-led initiative promoting Italy's culinary tradition abroad - including Australia. Find your local event here and get involved in celebrating one of the world's finest cuisines!

Italian Ambassador to the US Armando Varricchio and Chef Massimo Bottura at the launch of 'First Week of Italian Cuisine in the World' in Washington DC Source: Facebook

The First Week of Italian Cuisine in the World has kicked off this week. Taking place from 21 to 27 November in no less than 105 different countries, including Australia, it will play host to over 1,300 events (contests, conferences, tastings, thematic dinners, exhibitions on culinary themes and technical and scientific workshops) across the world.

At the opening event in Washington, Italian chef Massimo Bottura cooked at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador in the US. His restaurant "Osteria Francescana" in Modena is of course famous for having been awarded World's Best Restaurant in 2016.

Below, Bottura speaks at the opening event in Washington:

"Food is in our DNA," Bottura said of Italian culture at the opening event at Villa Firenze - the official residence of the Italian Ambassador in Washington DC.

Italian Ambassador to the US Armando Varricchio and Chef Massimo Bottura at the launch of 'First Week of Italian Cuisine in the World' in Washington DC Source: Facebook

"What Italy is all about is quality," Armando Varricchio, the Italian Ambassador to the US, said at the event. "The First Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is a window to what Italy has to offer, which is the riches of our great land, the diversity of our regions, and the quality of our food."

The initiative is run by the Italian government and is designed to promote Italy's gastronomic culture abroad, exhibiting its quality and its excellence, and giving a much needed boost to it's agricultural sector.

According to the European Commission, Italy has 286 products registered at DOOR (Database Of Origin & Registration). DOOR includes product names for foodstuffs registered as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed (TSG).

In this video, produced by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs especially for the event, 21 popular Italian chefs talk about the future of Italian cuisine abroad, the Italian dishes they would export, and the definition of Italian cuisine.

You can find all the events organised abroad to showcase the finest Italian cuisine and traditions, at the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

See the Australian events below:

Events in Adelaide

Wednesday 23^rd November

5pm – Cooking demonstration at the Marche club

Thursday 24^th November

3pm – Cooking demonstration at Mercato

5pm – Seminar on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet presented by Dr. Natalie Parletta at the University of South Australia

Friday 25^th November

3pm – Italian cheese tasting at Bottega Rotolo

6.30pm – Dinner organized by The Italian Academy of Cuisine at Enzo’s Ristorante

Saturday 26^th November

11am – That’s Amore: Pasta fazool and other pulses. Cooking demonstration by chef Camillo Crugnale at Central market in collaboration with Flinders University, Dante Alighieri Society, Slow Food and the United Nations Association. The theme will be: International Year of Pulses.

Sunday 27^th November

4pm – Pizza, Arancini and Pastiera Napoletana by Southern Street, in association with #PizzaUnesco, at Adelaide Night Market in Prince Henry Garden

4pm – Pizza cooking demonstration at the Campania Club

Events in Canberra

Wednesday 23^rd November

6.30pm – Screening of the movie “L’abbuffata” by Mimmo Calopresti at the National Film Sound Archive (NFSA)

Saturday 26^th November

12.30pm – Screening of the movie “La cena per farli conoscere” by Pupi Avati at the National Film Sound Archive (NFSA)

2.30pm – Screening of the movie “Pasta Nera” by Alessandro Piva and “Quando l’Italia mangiava in bianco e nero” by Andrea Gropplero at the National Film Sound Archive (NFSA)

Events in Sydney

Friday 25^th November

6pm – Buonissimo! Simple, healthy and delicious Italian food with Italian chef Gabriele Taddeucci and food journalist Joanna Savill at Italian Institute of Culture