The Italian Cuisine Week in Qatar will kick off from November 21 at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, Doha.
Addressing a press conference at Katara, Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano said that the event was not only about Italian food and that it is going to be more of a cultural week that will also include fashion, art, and opera.
The ambassador was accompanied by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, general manager of Cultural Village Foundation – Katara. Katara is supporting the Italian embassy in the initiative.
The week is promoted worldwide by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and this year it will take place from the November 20 to 26. From New York to Tokyo, all across the world, Italian food will be given centre stage. The week starts in Qatar next Tuesday (November 21). The Italian week in Qatar promises to be an “amazing experience to discover the extraordinary Italian taste in the domains where Italy is distinctively renowned.”
Ambassador Pasquale Salzano explained, “Our cultural heritage is appreciated globally and this makes us all proud of being Italian. Italians are creative, passionate, and have a great sense of humour; we express these feelings in all our daily actions.”
“Our cuisine is an expression of creativity and the capacity of assembling a generous variety of ingredients that the Mediterranean climate offers, into delicious recipes,” he said.
Besides the Italian dining experience on November 21, the embassy will hold a seminar about the Mediterranean diet, sport, and nutrition at Katara on November 22, a fashion show on 50 years of Italian fashion at Four Season Hotel on November 23, an event about Italian gelato and coffee at Al Hazm Mall on November 24 and 25, and lastly an Italian opera at Qatar National Convention Center on November 27.
The ambassador said that a special event will be held on November 19, with an expert chef from Rome visiting Qatar and teaching how to prepare known Italian dishes to Qatari women.
All the Italian restaurants in Doha will be offering promotional menus during the Italian Cuisine Week and food distributors like Agrico, Colosseum and Benina Food will support the week.
In response to a question, the ambassador said 2017 is the second year that this week is being celebrated. Italy started celebrating the week two years ago and will continue honouring the week in coming years, he said.
PRESS CONFERENCE: Italian Ambassador Pasquale Salzano, left, with Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti at the press conference yesterday. Photo by Ram Chand
