Did you know not all Italian products are made equally? That is, not all Italian looking and sounding products on your supermarket shelves might actually be from Italy. While there’s nothing to say one is better or worse than the other, the True Italian Taste project is here to help identify, support and educate people on certified Italian products outside of Italy.
To launch Italian Cuisine Week, True Italian Taste held a series of masterclasses and events around Australia aimed to introduce people to Italian products in a hands-on way. We were lucky enough to be invited along to the Sydney Parmigiano Reggiano Masterclass, where we learnt all about the cultural project, and got to once again indulge in some delicious Parmigiano.
Born and raised Milano man Chef Luca Ciano hosted the event, talking us through the Parmigiano Reggiano story, tasting and showing us how to open one of the giant 45kg wheels with grace and style. He also prepared a special dish for us, using Parmigiano Reggiano in three different, unexpected ways. Spiced, poached pear was served with Parmigiano Reggiano cream, mousse and a large crisp, creating a dish that wasn’t quite sweet, wasn’t quite savoury, but was overall impressively delicious.
The event wasn’t just to educate us on Italian products though. Financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, it was also a day to celebrate the newly published Cucina Italiana guidebook, organised by Ospitalita Italiana. This handy guidebook is the bible for Italian dining in Australia, containing a comprehensive list of Ospitalita Italiana approved venues. To qualify, venues must not only serve authentic, delicious Italian cuisine, but also meet the high standards of Italian hospitality, wine list and experience, among other specific requirements.
Among qualifying restaurants, the guidebook is also full of delicious recipes from Ospitalita Italiana venues and information on Italian cuisine and the Mediterranean Diet. If you’d like to check out the guidebook, you can download it here.
We can’t wait to check out some of these venues around Sydney, as you know we’re suckers for authentic Italian cuisine, having visited Italy many times ourselves.
