The 9th Week of Italian Cuisine in the World was celebrated with 19 events in the United Kingdom organized across London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
The theme of the edition, “Mediterranean Diet and Root Cuisine: Health and Tradition,” was explored to allow the public to rediscover the roots of traditional Italian cuisine in the country, its evolution, and the creative adaptation of Italian flavors to typical British tastes. At the core of all the events was the promotion of a healthy and balanced lifestyle as a fundamental value of the Mediterranean Diet and the candidacy of Italian cuisine for UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The calendar of events—ranging from genre literature, cinematography, and music to commercial promotion—was the product of a joint organizational effort by the entire Sistema Paese in the United Kingdom, starting with a specifically designed common graphic identity.
During the five evenings hosted at the Embassy, the attention focused on the message of Italian cuisine as a model of health, tradition, and innovation.
The first event took place on November 20 with the presentation of the book Better than Nonna by Danilo Cortellini, who has been Chef at the Embassy for over ten years and is now a Celebrity Chef with a significant following on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
On November 21, the thematic discussion titled “Italian Cuisine in the UK: From Roots to the Future” highlighted the stories of pioneers of Italian restaurant and food distribution in the country, alongside a representative of the new generation. The panel – moderated by chef and presenter Aldo Zilli – featured an impressive lineup of participants: Giorgio Locatelli, the multi-Michelin-starred chef and presenter of MasterChef Italia; Alessandro Degiorgio, chef at Osteria, which was honored as The Best of the Best 2023 in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards and named Best Chef 2023 at the Angelo Poretti Italian Awards Final; Nevio Pellicci, representing E. Pellicci, a legendary East London café-deli established in 1900, renowned for its generational recipes and management; and Vincenzo Zaccarini, one of the UK’s pioneering importers.
On November 25, the discussion centered on the critical issue of food waste in the event “From Plate to Planet: Fighting Food Waste,” organized in collaboration with the Accademia Italiana della Cucina. The discussion focused on policies and methods for reducing waste at the agricultural, distribution, and domestic levels. The speakers included Estelle Herszenhorn from WRAP, Professor Matteo Vittuari of the University of Bologna, George Wright of FareShare and the Coronation Food Project, Luca Ruini of Barilla, Giancarlo Caldesi of Caldesi Restaurants, moderated by Roberta Re from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade.
On November 26, the event “Puccini’s Legacy: 100 Years of Sublime Opera” celebrated the centenary of Giacomo Puccini’s death alongside the great composer from Lucca’s passion for the gastronomy of his homeland. Under the artistic direction of soprano Katerina Mina, internationally renowned tenors and sopranos performed. Following the enchanting musical performance was a tasting of Tuscan food and drinks inspired by the recipe book Buon Appetito, Maestro, created in collaboration with the Accademia Italiana della Cucina and the Lucchesi nel Mondo Association.
On November 27, during the European Pizza Show and the award ceremony for the winners of “50 Top Pizza – Artisan Pizza Chains,” the Embassy hosted a post-award reception to celebrate one of the most famous and globally recognized foods in Italian cuisine and culinary art: pizza. Renowned local pizzaioli were present.
The Consulate General of Italy in London, together with the UK Confederation and the Association of Italian Cuisine Professionals in the United Kingdom, organized an evening dedicated to celebrating Italy’s rich cultural heritage and its significant contribution to the global hospitality industry with the event “Hospitality Awards UK.” During the gala dinner on November 18, twelve awards were presented, including Best Chef, Best Pizzaiolo, Best Restaurant Owner, Best Dining Concept, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. On November 12, in collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Alfredo Russo, the Consulate organized a dinner at the prestigious Franklin Restaurant with a menu inspired by traditional dishes and their Mediterranean essence. The dinner was accompanied by the voice of singer Maria Elena Infantino.
The Italian Cultural Institute in London highlighted Sicilian and Sardinian cuisine during two events respectively on November 11 and 13. Sicilian Chef and journalist Giusi Battaglia and Giorgio Locatelli emphasized their connection to the territory and Sicilian cuisine. The discussion explored the balance between tradition and innovation in recipes, the interplay between cuisine and television, and strategies for introducing regional dishes to an increasingly diverse audience. Sardinian cuisine took center stage, with insights from Letitia Clark, a long-time visitor to the island, joined by Bee Wilson and Vicky Bennison.
With a commercial and educational angle, ICE London organized the preview of Vinitaly 2025 and curated Italy’s national participation at the Planet-Based World EXPO Europe, a fair focusing on vegan products, from November 13 to 14. On November 21, ICE hosted the event “Back to the Roots and Forward to the Future” at West London College, where students from the “catering & hospitality” school were taken on a journey through Italian gastronomic tradition, witnessing the preparation of a recipe both traditionally and in a modern reinterpretation.
ENIT ran a communication campaign titled “Meal Deal Makeover”—leveraging social platforms and prominent influencers—to inspire the public to prepare a “meal deal” using Italian products. The campaign included an evening of olive oil and wine tastings organized in collaboration with the Tuscany Region on November 19.
Throughout November, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK involved restaurants under the “Ospitalità Italiana” brand in a project aimed at promoting the Mediterranean diet and root cuisine with special menus that also encouraged a healthy, balanced, and sustainable lifestyle.
During the Week, the Accademia Italiana della Cucina organized its customary gala on November 19 to honor one of the Italian culinary excellences in the British capital—this year, Twiga, recently voted by a local jury as the best restaurant in the city.
Three events were organized by the Consulate General and the Italian Cultural Institute in Edinburgh, held across the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
On November 9, Glasgow hosted “Reel Tasty: Italian Food & Film Night,” in collaboration with the World of Film International Festival, the National Short Film Center, and the David di Donatello Awards – Fare Cinema. The event featured screenings of six of the best Italian short films of 2023 alongside a specially curated menu by Eusebi Deli, inspired by the films and featuring products representative of the settings of each story.
On November 21 in Edinburgh, the event “90 Years of Valvona & Crolla – Valvona & Crolla Talk” celebrated the history of Valvona & Crolla, the oldest and most famous Italian deli in Scotland, founded in 1934 by a family of Italian origin. The evening, curated by Philip Contini—the grandson of Valvona & Crolla’s founder Alfonso Crolla—took place at the iconic shop and included musical performances and a culinary journey through Lazio, the family’s region of origin.
The series concluded on November 27 with the event “La Buona Cucina Italiana – Contini George Street,” organized with the contribution of the Edinburgh branch of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina. Participants included the Academy’s representative, Carolina Ghittino, and the restaurant’s founder, Victor Contini. The discussion centered on the restaurant’s dedication to family traditions and authentic Italian cuisine, celebrating its 20th year in operation.