The 9th annual Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World will be held from November 18 until November 24, and this edition’s theme will be Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Roots: Health and Tradition. This year’s event aims to present Italian cuisine with particular emphasis on its traditional roots and the Mediterranean Diet’s recognized ability to protect health within a wholesome, sustainable and balanced lifestyle.
Alongside the aspects of health and sustainability, the theme of traditions will be highlighted, synergistically with the Roots Tourism (Turismo delle Radici) program which strives to raise awareness about how our communities abroad have disseminated Italy’s food heritage worldwide.
PROGRAM IN LOS ANGELES
BEFORE THE WEEK
NOVEMBER 17, 6:30 pm | ITALIAN EXCELLENCE GALA & AWARDS BY THE ITALY-AMERICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WEST (IACCW)
The 7th edition of the Italian Excellence Gala & Awards is set to take place on November 17, 2024, at The Taglyan in Los Angeles. As the IACCW’s most prominent event, the Gala brings together top Italian and American professionals, recognizing exceptional achievements across business, culture, and community. This year, the Gala shines a spotlight on Sicily—celebrating the island’s unique culinary and cultural heritage through immersive experiences and authentic cuisine. The evening will feature a curated Sicilian menu by special guest chef Elena D’Amico in collaboration with chef Luigi Fineo and showcase a delegation of food & beverage companies from Sicily and other Southern Italian regions led by Italian Fancy Food Brokers.
Registration is possible upon purchase of a ticket here. For more details, please contact the organizers: info@iaccw.net
DURING THE WEEK
NOVEMBER 18, 6:00 pm | DISCOVER ITALY IN A PAN’INO WITH ALESSANDRO FRASSICA AND NANCY SILVERTON
The grand opening event of the ninth edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World in Los Angeles. This special culinary experience features Alessandro Frassica, known as ‘Ino, alongside his friend and James Beard award-winning Chef Nancy Silverton. Together, they will take us on a journey where each panino is crafted with carefully selected, high quality regional ingredients, offering a taste-driven exploration of Italy’s diverse landscapes. This event is by invitation only. Press passes are available upon request at losangeles.stampa@esteri.it
NOVEMBER 19, 6:00 pm | SICILY AND BEYOND
The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West (IACCW), in collaboration with the Italian Tourist Board (ENIT) and Italian Fancy Food Brokers will host an exclusive, trade and media-only event at N10 restaurant dedicated to exploring the distinctive charm of Sicily as a premier destination for hospitality, food, wine and tourism. Guests will have the opportunity to connect directly with leading food and wine producers, traveling from Sicily and other Southern Italian regions to meet with local food & beverage industry professionals. This event is by invitation only. For media and business enquiries, please contact: info@iaccw.net
NOVEMBER 20, 5:00 pm | THE ITALIAN MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND CULINARY ROOTS: SPOTLIGHT ON THE USE AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF ITALIAN OLIVE OIL AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR
The Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, the Italian Cultural Institute, COM.IT.ES Los Angeles, and the Italian Studies program at Pepperdine University are pleased to present a panel discussion on “The Italian Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Roots: Health and Tradition” with a spotlight on the health benefits and the use in Italian cuisine of two iconic Italian staples: olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Panelists include Dr. Maura Fanti, researcher in Dr. Valter Longo’s USC Longevity Institute; Chef Tommaso Iorio, founder of “Tuscany at Home”; Fabrizio Cuomo of De Nigris balsamic vinegar; and Dr. Sunnie DeLano, Pepperdine professor and director of the Nutritional Science Certificate Program. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Brittany Corbucci together with Pepperdine Italian majors and will include insights from each speaker and questions from the audience. A reception with olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings and pairings will precede the panel at 5pm in the Drescher Auditorium on the Pepperdine Malibu Campus. Registration is free at the following link.
NOVEMBER 21, 6:30 pm |ITALIAN GOURMET NIGHT IN ORANGE COUNTY
This by-invitation only cooking show and tasting event, focused on this year’s main theme “Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Roots”, is organized by the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles in collaboration with the local representative of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and Chapman University at Antonello’s Restaurant in Santa Ana, OC. Chef Alessandro Frassica of “Ino Panino” will present the art of Italian gourmet sandwich making while guests will be enjoying an Italian-style aperitivo. Special desserts from the Piemonte region will follow. Press passes are available upon request at losangeles.stampa@esteri.it
NOVEMBER 21, 7:30 pm | THEATER SHOW: “STORIES OF EGGS AND FLOUR”
In this original solo show at The Electric Lodge in Venice, Los Angeles, by and with Gaia Mencagli, the actress portrays the life of her grandmother, Rosa Falleri Mencagli. Thanks to eggs, flour, and an apron, Rosa tastes one more time the scent of her life. She travels in time, and the space around her transforms. Between handfuls of flour, Rosa relives some of the most significant moments of her life, accompanied by music, objects, and people from that time. Tickets are available here.
NOVEMBER 22, 6 pm | CLOSING NIGHT BY ACCADEMIA ITALIANA DELLA CUCINA
The Los Angeles Chapter of Accademia Italiana della Cucina, in collaboration with the cultural association Azzurra, will host the closing night of the Week at LA Puglia Restaurant. Participants will be able to enjoy a special four-course dinner focused on the Mediterranean diet and Italian culinary roots Health and Tradition. The program also includes a presentation of the book “The Garrubbo Guide” by Edwin Garrubbo, a New York lawyer passionate about Italian cuisine, who wants to make Americans aware of the importance of a healthy diet by exploring Italian cuisine. Tickets will be available upon purchase by contacting LA Puglia restaurant.