TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
The Embassy of Italy in Manama, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency, is proud to announce the successful conclusion of yet another great edition of the Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World. The 10th Edition under the inspiring theme “Italian Cooking: Health, Culture, and Innovation,” celebrated the richness and global appeal of Italy’s culinary heritage.
This milestone edition celebrated the richness of Italian gastronomy through a vibrant program of events that combined tradition, innovation, sustainability, and conviviality, reaffirming the candidacy of Italian Cuisine to be inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These events were rendered possible thanks to the collaboration with of the Domain Hotel and Spa, Chtaura, Sitaf, Lulu, Smile Association, Chef Paolo Lucchesi, and Del Bosco Restaurant.
Across all events, the 10th Edition showcased the colorful diversity of Italian gastronomy—from pizza and pastries to apericena and ravioli—while reaffirming its role as a bridge between tradition and innovation, health and sustainability, family and community.
Ambassador Andrea Catalano concluded: “Italian cuisine is part of our uniqueness, something that unites us with the world. It is a heritage of health, culture, and innovation, and we proudly support its candidacy as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is not only a gastronomic celebration, but also a cultural vehicle to defend and promote the authenticity of Italian food and wine against imitation and counterfeiting.”
The week was inaugurated with a lively pizza tasting event at Chtaura Bahrain, highlighting the art of Neapolitan pizza-making—already recognized by UNESCO—and celebrating Italian cuisine as a universal language of health, culture, and social connection.
Followed by a masterclass led by renowned Tuscan pastry chef Paolo Lucchesi on the beloved Torta della Nonna, (Grandma’s cake) recalling the values that make Italian cuisine unique: quality ingredients, simplicity, and love. Chef Lucchesi’s dedication and creativity, is a true symbol of Made in Italy.
Pizza-making
Another warmly received initiative was the joyful pizza-making class for children from Smile of Bahrain was hosted at Lulu Hypermarket, with Chef Lucchesi guiding the young participants. This colorful event celebrated the transmission of culinary traditions across generations, while honoring the UNESCO-recognized art of the Neapolitan pizzaiuolo.
The week also introduced the famous Italian concept of the apericena for the first time, at The Domain Hotel, where Chef Lucchesi transformed ingredients into delicacies blending tradition with innovation. Guests enjoyed creations prepared with a sourdough starter dating back to 1964, symbolizing continuity and heritage.
In collaboration with the Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies, Chef Marco Terranova conducted a masterclass on ravioli with ricotta and spinach, offering participants hands-on experience with one of Italy’s timeless recipes. The event emphasized Italian cuisine as a collective cultural model rooted in conviviality and respect for the land.
Cinegastro
The week concluded with 2 Cinegastro events. The first was an evocative exhibition “Tales from the Roots” at Del Bosco Ristorante, narrating the journey of Italian migrants who carried traditional dishes abroad, blending flavors with local cultures. Chef Mahmoud Said’s personal story beautifully mirrored this theme, embodying the spirit of Italian cuisine as a channel of love, memory, and community. While the second and final event was the Screening of “Gualtiero Marchesi – The Great Italian” at the Grazia Deledda Center, Royal University for Women. The screening was a cinematic tribute to one of the most iconic and extraordinary figures in Italian gastronomy: Gualtiero Marchesi. With his revolutionary vision, he opened new horizons and profoundly reshaped the culinary landscape. In fact, he is considered to be the father of modern Italian haute cuisine.
Dining and Cooking