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Enrico De Agostini

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
All is set for the International Italian Cuisine Week, an annual event primed to celebrate Italy’s incredibly varied cuisine and food traditions. The event which begins today (Tuesday) and ends Saturday, has lined up a programme with a wide array of events promoting culinary culture and flavours to local chefs. Celebrated across the world, the event will include training sessions and dinners featuring the creations of two chefs from Italy, Stefano Santo and Vincenzo di Giuseppe of the Alma International School of Italian Cuisine in Parma.

“Master pizza maker Francesco Santocono of the famed Italian Pizza School will also be visiting Harare at this time,” said Italian Ambassador, Enrico De Agostini. Everything is all set for the fiesta cuisine.” The event is being hosted by the Italian embassy in partnership with Colcom, CIMAS, Only Italian, Café Nush, Sandalwood Lodge, Illy Coffee, Martini and Danai Wines.

Ambassador De Agostini said they are beginning with a training workshop for culinary enthusiasts today at the Colcom Kitchen in the Workington industrial area. “The universe of pasta and its stellar sauces is today and begins this morning. It is going to be presented by chefs Stefano Santo and Vincenzo di Giuseppe and featuring the route to creative and successful Italian-style cooking,” he said.

Participants will pay $250 per person to cover lunch and refreshments as well as Alma-branded gifts. A gala dinner is expected to be held on Thursday. “An exquisite combination of Italian and Zimbabwean flavors in a unique fusion dinner presented by the visiting Italian chefs, Stefano Santo and Vincenzo di Giuseppe is set for gala dinner at The Venue in Avondale,” the Italian ambassador said.

“We are going to have live band too on the night.”A workshop dubbed: ‘Health Food Day’ that will be held at Peterhouse School in Marondera will wrap up the event. We are delighted that Harare can be involved in this important international cultural event, especially as the influence of Italian cuisine is as strong here in the Zimbabwean capital as in many places around the world. We are pleased with being able to host an event that not only enhances the fine reputation of Italian cuisine but which also incorporates the use of Zimbabwean ingredients into the process of preparing and cooking Italian dishes, which gives this cuisine week in Harare a unique and innovative flavour,” Ambassador De Agostini said.