Twenty regions, twenty restaurants, and chefs from Italy will come together to celebrate Italian cuisine, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2025. The 15th Italian Regional Cuisine Week, promoted by the Consulate General of Italy, kicks off tomorrow in São Paulo and runs through October 25.
Each restaurant will host an Italian chef who will collaborate with a local chef to create menus inspired by regional traditions. At the opening ceremony, São Paulo’s Secretary for International Relations, Angela Gandra, highlighted the role of gastronomy in cultural diplomacy and economic development, emphasizing the historical ties between the city and Italy.
“UNESCO’s recognition celebrates a living culture, passed down from generation to generation, which highlights local regions and transforms cooking into an expression of identity,” said Consul General Mauro Campanella. “Language and cuisine are two pillars of our culture,” he added, also highlighting the role of schools in passing on Italian traditions.
Geraldo Landulfo, a delegate of the Italian Academy of Cuisine and curator of the initiative, described his participation as a way to “give back a little of what Italy has given me” and to thank the country that welcomed him.
The guest of honor is Maddalena Fossati Dondero, editor-in-chief of the magazine “La Cucina Italiana” and president of the committee promoting the UNESCO nomination. “Italian cuisine isn’t just something we eat; it’s something that tells the story of who we are,” she said, emphasizing the value of the collaboration between Italian and Brazilian chefs. “It truly gives me hope that the world can change through our beloved cuisine,” she added.
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Dining and Cooking