The first edition for the French market of The Italian Show, the traveling format to promote Made in Italy supply chains and authentic Italian food and wine products in international markets, was held in Paris on April 17.
Organized by I Love Italian Food in collaboration with the Associazione Cuochi Italiani in Francia, the event was held at the elegant Hotel du Collectionneur in the 17th arrondissement. In collaboration with the main trade associations in the area, the day allowed Italian producers and distributors to connect with more than 750 French professionals including chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, buyers, distributors, journalists and influencers.
The rich program of activities entertained visitors to the event from morning to late afternoon, with educational moments to teach professionals how to use the excellences of the world of food, wine, and mixology, tasting sessions to allow the public of local professionals to taste and learn about the flavors of our land, and moments of promotion and storytelling of the products, through the voices of experts of made in Italy in the territory.
After the inauguration and the ribbon cutting on stage in the presence of Italian institutions such as the Director of ICE Italian Trade Agency in Paris, Dr. Luigi Ferrelli, and Vice Consul General Dr. Bianca Longobardi, the day continued with a succession of activities in the various areas of the event.
Chefs from the Associazione Cuochi Italiani in Francia animated the Tasting Station with cooking shows and tastings of partner products, from pasta to sauces, from cheeses to anchovies. All of these were products that guests at The Italian Show were able to learn more about thanks to the exhibition of more than 40 producers and distributors.
On the main stage performances by masters of Italian cuisine such as Massimo Tringali, Executive Chef of the starred Armani/Ristorante, or Filippo Saporito, President of Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe Italia and Executive Chef of the starred restaurant La Leggenda dei Frati in Florence. And then the Talk “The Italian Revolution in France,” hosted by journalist Viviana Di Piazza, which featured speeches by three protagonists of Made in Italy in France who shared their interpretation of Italian cuisine: Massimo Mori, Chef Patron of Mori Venice Bar, Peppe Cutraro, world champion of contemporary pizza, and Alberto Suardi, Executive Chef of Big Mamma Group.
Big news in the 2023 edition of The Italian Show, the large area entirely dedicated to the world of pizza, with exhibitors telling the story of its supply chain and a stage for performances by world-renowned pizza makers. Protagonists of the Pizza Show in Paris, along with Mulino Caputo flours, were master pizzaiolo Vincenzo Capuano with Nonno Enzo, world champion Peppe Cutraro, who has made France his second home, and also Marco Casolla, directly from the French Riviera, Guillaume Grasso, a young and enthusiastic pizzaiolo who professes true Neapolitan pizza, and brothers Nicola and Emanuele Iovine, established pizzaioli in Paris.
Also much appreciated were the mixology sessions in the Bar Station led by the Bartenders France team, who mixed creative and amazing cocktails to share not only the world of Italian spirits but also that of soft drinks.
It was a day full of emotions, especially for the chefs involved in the competition that enlivened the stage of The Italian Show in the afternoon, hosted by made-in-Italy expert Sara Rania. In fact, the first French edition of The Best Upcoming Chef Of Italian Cuisine was held in Paris, with six chefs competing for the title of best upcoming chef of Italian cuisine in France, with the victory of young Calabrian chef Natale Romeo.
A jury of well-known chefs judged the work of the six contestants selected from an initial elimination phase of the competition: Agostino Coppola, President of the Associazione Cuochi Italiani in Francia, presided over the jury joined by Enzo Oliveri, President of the Associazione Cuochi Italiani in UK – Foreign Delegation of the Federazione Cuochi Italiani, Massimo Mori, Chef Patron of Armani/Restaurant in Paris, Lorenzo Alessio, Team Coach Bocuse d’Or Italy Academy, Alessandro Bergamo, Executive Chef of the Ultima Courchevel Belvédère Resort in France.
“With this edition of The Italian Show begins a journey that will last throughout 2023 and that will see us committed to meeting the restaurant world also in the German, English and Belgian markets. The French edition was a real revelation, we were very impressed by the involvement not only of the protagonists who represent our culinary culture in France but also of the public of local operators who welcomed the format with great enthusiasm.” says Alessandro Schiatti, CEO of I Love Italian Food.
A great success for this new appointment of The Italian Show, which will move to Cologne on June 6 for the stop in the German market.
The Italian Show – Paris is a project supported by: ICE – Italian Trade Agency, Consulate General of Italy in Paris, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Lyon.
Realized thanks to the support of
Main Partner: Associazione Cuochi Italiani in Francia
Sponsor: Molino Caputo, Galvanina.
Technical Partners: Number One Logistic, Pentole Agnelli, Carniato, Frigoteknica, Goeldlin, Goldplast, Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, Bartenders France.
Partners & Media Partners: Le Chef, BRA tendences, Radio Top Italia France, Ho.Re.Ca. News.