On Wednesday, November 14th, the Italian community, food writers, bloggers and food lovers gathered to celebrate the launch of the Third Annual Celebration of Italian Cuisine of the World. The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr Paolo Serpi, Ambassador of the Italian Republic at the Italian Institute of Culture under the coordination of the the Italian National Tourist Board and in association with the Italian Cultural Institute, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Dublin, Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection and their brand ambassador chef Neven Maguire and the Culinary Institute of Assisi.
Welcoming guests, Ambassador Serpi explained, “Tonight marks a week-long celebration of Italian Cuisine to showcase an important part of our identity and culture, which originates not only from popular culture, where humble dishes were born, but also very sophisticated culinary traditions which reached their peak during the Renaissance period. We hope everyone will get involved in the many events taking place across Ireland over the next week.”
The theme of the event, was to celebrate the strong connections between Ireland and Italy, especially in culinary matters and to reinforce this, the event was supported by the multi-award winning Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection who source many of their products directly from producers in Italy. Renata Sperandio, Director of Italian Institute of Culture, where the event was held stated, “We are so proud to collaborate with our Italian partners in culture, tourism and business and delighted to have support from the Dunnes Stores Simply Better team and their Brand Ambassador, Chef Neven Maguire in putting this special night together. During the day Neven and his team were busy creating the wonderful array of canapes from the Simply Better Italian Collection that we are all enjoying tonight with all the wines, also from the Simply Better Italian Collection. It’s a fitting start to our week of Italian Cuisine when we have such a strong brand in the food sector such as Dunnes Stores supporting us in this way.”
Maria Regina Rubinetti, Irish Branch Manager of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for the UK, who coordinated tonight’s event stated “Food is part of our culture, its part of our heritage and it’s part of our lifestyle and traditions. In Italy we believe that food is the taste of happiness and tonight we are very happy with the amazing food provided by the Italian producers who are part of the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection, prepared by the collection’s brand ambassador Neven Maguire.”
Following Neven’s Italian Food Trails last year, Neven Maguire has a particularly strong connection with Italian Producers: “Italian cuisine is some of the best food I have ever experienced. With Dunnes Stores Simply Better we partner with many local Italian food and wine producers who are as passionate about creating high quality products as I am about cooking with them. It’s a pleasure for me to be here tonight.”
Diarmuid Murphy, Brand Manager, Dunnes Stores Simply Better stated “When we were approached initially by the Italian Embassy to collaborate with tonight’s event we were delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate our own special relationship with Italy. The food and wine producers are absolutely intrinsic to the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection and the relationship we have with all our producers is one of partnership. Tonight is an excellent way for us to celebrate the special relationship we have with our Italian producers, who are represented here by Franco Pastore from Taste with Gusto who works closely with the Simply Better team to source the award winning products for our Simply Better Italian collection.
To celebrate the launch, guests enjoyed products from the Simply Better Italian Collection such as Charcuterie Selection Mozzarella & Gorgonzola & Sundried Tomatoes, Flatbreads with Basil Pesto, Gorgonzola and Fig, Breadsticks wrapped in Parma Ham, Sundried Tomato Pesto, Mascarpone Cheese & Grilled Peppers and a selection of Olives. Guests also sampled Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico DOCG from the Simply Better Wine collection.
For further information on the Italian Cuisine of the World activities and events in Ireland visit www.iicdublino.esteri.it For more information on the Dunnes Stores Simply Better Collection visit www.dunnesstores.com or on social media platforms – @simplybetterds.