#23 | Say Buon Appetito at The 6th International Week of Italian Cuisine in Singapore
Feast on Italian cuisine over a salivating slew of events, from dinners, cooking classes to cultural webinars from 22 to 28 November.
Pandemic or not, foodies in Singapore are saying “Mamma Mia” to Italian food. They are slurping up more pasta and drizzling more olive oil and tomato sauce over their food.
According to figures from the Italian Trade Agency, imports of pasta from Italy to Singapore increased by 28.5% in 2020 as compared to 2019, while imports of Italian cheeses, dairy products and baked goods saw a spike of 18% during the same period. Imports of olive oil and tomato sauce also saw a whopping increase.
The agency adds that one reason behind the surge in Italian food imports is the rise of home-cooking over the past two years - thanks to the movement restrictions.
Singapore’s perennial love for Italian cuisine is the reason why the International Week of Italian Cuisine is returning for its 6th edition in the Republic.
Held from this Sunday (22 Nov) to Nov 28, the festival comprises an epicurean mix of events that dishes out the gastronomic exchanges between Italian traditions and Singaporean flavours.
Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Singapore, the festival includes dining promotions with Italian restaurants across the island, food and wine tastings, cooking classes and even Zoom webinars on Italian culinary history in cinema and a virtual tête-à-tête with an Italian countess!
At a press conference held at pasta brand Barilla’s headquarters in Singapore, Italian Ambassador in Singapore, H.E. Mario Andrea Vattani, said: "Singaporeans are more and more curious about Italian food, and they have a very broad view of culinary culture, which goes from top restaurants to lively hawker centres.”
He added that the International Week of Italian Cuisine is a behemoth collaboration between various Italian government agencies and organizations in various countries around the world - a sign of how sacrosanct the role of food in Italian culture is. Part of the long-running appeal of Italian cuisine lies in its health and nutrition value as it is recognized as part of the Mediterranean diet.
More people are experimenting with whipping up Italian food at home - who wouldn’t resist a bowl of spaghetti bolognese?
Case in point: Italy exported 1.8 billion euros (SGD 2.7 billion) worth of Italian food to Singapore last year, based on figures by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.
The trade body also added that the Italian agri-food business is worth 205 billion euros or 12.1% of Italy’s GDP and employs over 1.3 million people.
Here’re some of the festival’s highlights, buon appetito!
A Taste of Italy At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy (21 Nov)
The epicurean event, which will sprawl across the entire At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy campus, will whet the appetite of foodies. There’s a produce market, where fresh and dried food products, sweets and wines will be sold directly from Italian food importers to the public. For some hands-on action, sign up for olive oil tasting, gelato and beer workshops.
Italian chefs from famed dining establishments will also put on a gastronomical show. Angelo Ciccone, Executive Chef at Regent Hotel is presenting an Italian-style high tea, while Fabio Granata, Executive Sous Chef at St Regis Hotel is dishing out hearty homespun Italian classics inspired by his mother. Simone Fraternali, Chef-Partner at Solo Ristorante is showcasing speciality pasta from the Emilia Romagna region.
At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy will donate part of the proceeds from the day’s 12 events to charity. The culinary school will incorporate the most popular Italian courses and events for a whole week and will conduct private chef programs from 28 November onwards.
Italian Street Food Week (22-28 Nov, various restaurants)
Just like how Singapore has muah chee and Ramly burgers at pasar malams, Italy has its tantalizing array of street food - such as Gnocco fritto with Prosciutto di Parma, Panini Italiani and Carbonara alla ruota, and of course, all washed down with a cheerful-looking glass of Aperol Spritz.
Dining with Stars - CIAK Si Mangia! (23 Nov)
Get a retrospective of Italian cuisine through cinema in this free Zoom session that will be conducted live. Sign up here.
Fancy an Italian night with the blue-blooded? Join this free Zoom webinar on 27 Nov with a countess who is a descendent of Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, writer and philosopher. His Divine Comedy is regarded as one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the greatest literary work in the Italian language. Sign up here.
Art Restaurant is Awarded the Diploma di Buona Cucina
Months before it received its first Michelin star in September, Italian fine-dining restaurant Art, which is run by restauranteur Beppe Devito and helmed by Executive Chef Daniele Sperindio, received this prestigious accolade by the Accademia Italiana della Cucina-Delegation, or the Italian Academy of Cuisine. The culinary organization, which was set up in the 1950s, has around 40 members and recognizes restaurants around the world that uphold Italian culinary traditions. Art Restaurant will host the by-invite Convivale event from 23 to 27 Nov.
Here’s a photo of yours truly at a trattoria in Rome in 2016.
Buon Appetito! I miss having long dinners in Italy - saying ‘buona sera’ to the service staff, having an Aperol Spritz to start, pasta is served as the first course (primo), rather than a main…and walking down the cobblestoned streets after dinner with a warm and full belly. Ahhhhhh…
Ciao, Grazie!
Stay hungry for the next round of The Potluck by subscribing the newsletter below:
Follow me on Instagram (@kenneats). Got news? Get in touch at kennethgohsz@gmail.com. Tuck into previous editions of The Potluck here.
Thank you very much, Kenneth! You are always a great writer!!! I hope to see you again soon!