RIYADH: An Italian heritage dinner in Riyadh brought together leading chefs with Michelin-starred restaurants to the Kingdom, aiming to highlight food as a strategic instrument of Italian soft power.
Cucina hosted the event, backed by the Italian Embassy, the Italian Trade Agency, and Euro Toques Italia.
Italian Ambassador Carlo Baldocci spoke to Arab News about how the evening reflects the two countries’ expanding cultural and economic ties.
“Culinary diplomacy is very important for Italy. It shows how Italy is moving through traditions to go into the future of our capacity and our sensibility in many areas of the food world,” he said.
He added that Saudi Arabia’s own food heritage strengthens the relationship between the two nations.
“This creates a very strong connection with Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has a huge tradition of food and capacity of bringing the culinary recipes of the past towards the present and the future,” he explained.
Baldocci said the Italian side sees growing potential for wider collaboration. “There are huge opportunities. I am sure that we will succeed in arriving to a very high level of collaboration. There is strong interest on the Italian side, and I see great interest on the Kingdom’s side,” he said.
The dinner presented a curated menu prepared by a lineup of internationally recognized chefs, using products flown in from Italy for the occasion.
In attendance were Vincenzo Guarino, a chef whose restaurants have garnered a total of four Michelin stars; Germano Pisano, Euro Toques member; Enrico Derflingher, president of Euro Toques Italy and former chef of Prince Charles and the White House; Daniele Chiari, culinary director of royal protocol; Daniele Valente, executive chef of Cucina; Massimo Tavoletta, master chocolatier chef; and Vincenzo de Simone, baker chef.
The dishes showcased Italy’s regional identity through ingredients such as Mazara del Vallo red prawns, Parmigiano Reggiano, gorgonzola, black truffle, and specialty sourdough preparations.
Derflingher spoke to Arab News about how he was pleased to return to the Kingdom.
“I’m very proud to be here. It was a fantastic dinner. We are very proud to bring all these products from Italy and to cook such a fantastic dinner for such a beautiful clientele,” he said.
Dining and Cooking