On the occasion of the 68th edition of the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, this year once again featured the Aftershow by I Love Italian Food, held on Sunday, June 23, in collaboration with the prestigious Columbus Citizens Foundation.
The exclusive evening took place at the Foundation’s headquarters on the Upper East Side, where 150 selected guests gathered to toast Italy and its culinary excellence. The event provided a warm gathering for some of the main operators in the world of catering and beyond.
Among the undisputed stars of the evening were high-level chefs who delighted attendees with performances and iconic dishes of Italian tradition. Special guests included Chef Enrico Derflingher, President of Eurotoques Italia and one of the most important Italian chefs in the world, who, together with Michelin-starred Chef Gianni Tarabini, prepared the famous Risotto del Principe Carlo, a signature dish that amazed those present.
Following this, Chef Fabrizio Facchini, a well-known and established chef, cooked a classic of our cuisine live: rigatoni all’arrabbiata. Damiano Rosella, another prominent chef on the New York scene, delivered an original performance alongside journalist Luca Cesari, recounting the authentic Italian origins of penne alla vodka, a dish often misunderstood but rich in history and tradition. Throughout the evening, master pizzaiolo Roberto Caporuscio delighted guests with authentic Italian pizzas topped with fiordilatte, truffle, and ragù, representing the art of Neapolitan pizza in all its authenticity.
Finally, a unique moment came with the dessert of the evening, presented by pastry chef Bilena Settepani, who showcased a special tiramisù, the “Must-Have tiramisù” by Ale Gambini. This moment, desired by I Love Italian Food and Vicenzi, was in honor of chef, author, and Italian food writer Ale Gambini, who passed away last February. This dessert, a symbol of Italian tradition, closed the evening with a touch of sweetness and nostalgia.
Accompanying the culinary delights, the evening was enriched by a refined selection of Italian mixology and wines from the Prosecco DOC Consortium, which pampered guests with unique flavors.
Alessandro Schiatti, President of I Love Italian Food, enthusiastically commented on the event: “Our Aftershow, which has been held in parallel with the Fancy Food Show for 10 years, continues to be an unmissable event to celebrate what we call ‘the warriors of Italian food,’ our chefs committed to spreading the excellence of Made in Italy worldwide. This evening is an extraordinary opportunity to create connections, network, and discover new possibilities for promoting Italian food in the North American market.”
The I Love Italian Food Aftershow, now in its tenth edition, celebrated the best of Italian cuisine and offered an unforgettable experience to all attendees. A special occasion to toast Italy, its inimitable flavors, and the passion that drives its chefs and producers.
The Aftershow is a project by I Love Italian Food realized in collaboration with the Columbus Citizens Foundation, thanks to the support of: GranTerre, Mulino Caputo, Latteria Sorrentina, Ciao Pomodoro, Acetaia Giusti, Matilde Vicenzi, Consorzio della DOC Prosecco, Marino PR. Also thanks to: Frantoi Cutrera, Riso Dama, Pasta Toscana, Smeraldina.
