CHEF MASSIMO BOTTURA - A MASTERCLASS ON TRUE ITALIAN TASTE
During this exclusive masterclass on True Italian Taste “one of the foremost ambassadors of modern Italian cuisine”, three-Michelin Star Chef Massimo Bottura, shared his extensive knowledge of Authentic Italian Food and his commitment and passion for social change.
TRADE MISSION: BUY WINE TOSCANA
The 12th edition of this trade show for international buyers took place in Florence and over 200 Tuscan wineries showcased the best of their regional appellation wines. True Italian Taste brought a group of buyers and wine agents, including one from Ontario, to participate in a 3-day program and B2B meetings.
TRADE MISSION: BUY FOOD SIENA
Gennaro Giliberti, Director Regione Toscana, Agricultural Sector and Rural Development, and Gesualdo Mastruzzo, President Numage Trading Inc., at the 2021 edition of BuyFood Toscana 2021
Fall 2021 sees True Italian Taste host a group of buyers from North America, including one from Ontario to venture to the Province of Siena. Foods from this region include cavallucci, panforte and ricciarelli di Siena.
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE: COFFEE AND DESSERT
Espresso semifreddo by Chef Mattia Pagliara of La Scuola di Eataly
Attendees learn how to make an espresso semifreddo through a virtual experience with La Scuola di Eataly.
TUTTI A TAVOLA GOES VIRTUAL
Chef Roberto Fracchioni takes ICCO Canada’s Tutti a Tavola series virtual
ICCO Canada and Chef Roberto Fracchioni host Tutti a Tavola, a series of virtual cooking events exploring various Italian food regions.
B2B RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND MENTORING
ICCO Canada hosts virtual mentoring and B2B relationship building activities. Participating companies connect and exchange information on food production and importing.
THE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE - BUONISSIMO!
Chef Andrea Censorio's gnocchi ripieni alla primavera wins most creative dish
Six local restaurants each prepare a dish featuring DOP/IGP product during this live virtual event. It is hosted by television personality Michelle Jobin, and attending media vote on their favourites.
FALL 2020 & WINTER/SUMMER 2021
GREAT ITALIAN WINES SERIES
This is how ICCO Canada celebrates Italian wines Photo credit: Terroni
ICCO Canada hosts a series of virtual wine tastings featuring indigenous Italian grapes. They are hosted by a certified sommelier and winemakers from Italy. Guests order wines in advance and are able to taste along with the presentation. This is made possible through collaborations with Noble Estates Wine & Spirits and Cavinona, Terroni's exclusive wine agency.
PENTOLA D'ORO - UNDER THE STARS
The Pentola D’Oro awards recognizes outstanding achievements in food and beverage
The virtual gala takes place in collaboration with Eataly and Michelin Star Chef Cristina Bowerman and Chef Roberto Fracchioni. Five awards are presented. Winners include Chef Massimo Capra, Gabe Torchetti of Lady York Foods, Joe Pulla of Johnvince Foods, Halpern Enterprises and Salvatore Mele of Oretta.
TRUE ITALIAN TASTE MASTERCLASSES
Products showcased at the True Italian Taste Masterclass Photo credit: Anna Milan
Chef Roberto Fracchioni teaches the history behind food certifications, preserving food heritage, and ‘made-in-Italy’ V.S. ‘product of Italy’. Media, influencers and industry are served dishes featuring Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano, Gorgonzola, Piave, olive oil and Aceto Balsamico di Modena. Later, ICCO Canada hosts its first virtual masterclass in collaboration with Longo’s Food Market.
THE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE GOES VIRTUAL
ICCO Canada hosts its first virtual food education events in 2020
ICCO Canada quickly pivots to virtual food experiences in the spring, featuring a pizza al padellino workshop in collaboration with Eataly. In the fall, Chefs Mattia Pagliara, Claudio Sadler and Rob Gentile each host Il Panino Gourmet, presenting two panini recipes prepared with DOP and IGP products.
PECORINO TOSCANO TASTING DINNERS
Pecorino Toscano tasting dinner at Giro D’Italia
Oretta, Stelvio and Giro D’Italia host tasting dinners where guests enjoy regional fare including branzino topped with Pecorino Toscano. The lesson? Italian cuisine is not monolithic. The adage that all Italians never combine cheese and fish is just not true. The next time you make cozze, sprinkle on some Pecorino Toscano stagionato.
BOMBA! CENTITALIA PRESENTS ‘TASTE OF CALABRIA’
Tastings of Calabrese specialties take place across Ontario
CENTItalia is presented in collaboration with the region of Calabria. Michelin Star Chef Antonio Abbruzzino and Chefs Pino Barbino and Giovanni De Luca present workshops, masterclasses and tasting dinners. The program includes tasting corners at select Fortinos and Longo’s locations
TRUE ITALIAN TASTE: INFLUENCER TRIP TO UMBRIA
Michelle Jobin experiences True Italian Taste in Umbria
Michelle Jobin, TV personality and fixture in Toronto’s food scene, visits Umbria. She joins a group of influencers from all over the world, sent to the region to discover True Italian Taste. They experience Pecorino Toscano, Prosciutto di Norcia, Montefalco Sagrantino, chocolate and truffles.
THE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE: EMILIA ROMAGNA EDITION
Upon the chefs’ return to Canada, they host a set of tasting dinners featuring flavours of Emilia Romagna. Dinners take place at Quatrefoil, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, The Good Earth Food and Wine Co., and Centennial College’s The Local. Special guest Chef Carla Brigliadori of Casa Artusi joins students at Centennial College.
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE: EDUCATIONAL TOUR
Chefs Andrew Thorne, Fraser Macfarlane, Michael Russell and Roberto Fracchioni
The chefs embark on an educational tour of Emilia Romagna, the birthplace of many important Italian specialties. Examples include Parmigiano Reggiano, Mortadella di Bologna, Aceto Balsamico di Modena, Reggio Emilia and Prosciutto di Parma.
EXPERIENCING PECORINO TOSCANO
Afrim Pristine, Heidi Ruggier, Chef Matteo Donati, Jason Skrobar, Claire Tansey
ICCO Canada and Pecorino Toscano host food industry professionals Afrim Pristine, Heidi Ruggier, Jason Skrobar and Claire Tansey. Pecorino Toscano is a nutty, balanced sheep’s milk cheese. The group visits farms, dairies, Biancane National Park and experiences a cooking lesson at Donati Restaurant.
CENTITALIA: ICCO CANADA PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON EATALY
Corrado Paina and Oscar Farinetti at Centennial College
CENTItalia kicks off launching Il Sospeso, ICCO Canada’s espresso book. Guests enjoy pastries by Chef Andrea Tortora, voted Italy’s best pastry chef by L’Espresso Guide. Michelin Star Chef Silvia Baracchi shares food excellences from Tuscany. The week concludes with a lecture from Oscar Farinetti, founder of Eataly and FICO.
TRUE ITALIAN TASTE: INFLUENCER TRIP TO PIEMONTE
Suzie Durigon, cookbook author and creator of Just Crumbs, visits Piemonte to discover the excellencies of the local food and wine scene. Her group learns about Italian certifications, Italian cheese, Asti D.O.C.G wine consortium and Nocciola Piemonte.
THE INAUGURAL AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE
Ligurian style lingcod by Chef Ross Midgely served at The Local at Centennial College
ICCO Canada hosts the inaugural Authentic Italian Table at Centennial College’s The Local, Luma at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Ravine Vineyard’s Barrel Cellar. Chef Matthew DeMille appears on CP24 Breakfast and makes Fontina fondue. Chef Ugo Mura of IFSE Culinary School supports the events.
THE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TABLE: EDUCATIONAL TOUR
Chefs Michael Wilson, winemaker, Matthew DeMille, Ross Midgley and Roberto Fracchioni
The Extraordinary Italian Taste program sends four prominent Canadian chefs — Roberto Fracchioni, Matthew DeMille, Michael Wilson and Ross Midgley — to Liguria, Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta. They experience regional cuisine like vitello tonnato, ragù bianco di coniglio, Ligurian cod and Fontina Val D’Aosta.
CENTITALIA: PIZZA CULTURA
ICCO Canada's book titled Pizza Cultura
CENTItalia kicks off with the presentation of Pizza Cultura, ICCO Canada’s newest book. Centennial College students enjoy classes from Italy’s top maestro pizzaiolo, Franco Pepe. Michelin Star Chef Cristina Bowerman from Rome and Chef Ugo Mura from IFSE Culinary School teach students and host dining experiences.
TRUE ITALIAN TASTE: INFLUENCER TRIP
Annie Chu, author of Chu on This, visits Emilia Romagna and Lombardia with a group of influencers from different parts of the world. They do workshops on Parmigiano Reggiano, Aceto Balsamico di Modena and Prosciutto di Parma. They enjoy tasting dinners and visit Zibello Culatello and Auricchio Provolone production sites.
ASSAGGIA CON ME: PRODUCT SEEDING AT COPPA’S FRESH MARKET
Christina Mastruzzo and Tiziana Tedesco at Coppa's Fresh Market in Vaughan
ICCO Canada hosts pop-up tastings at Coppa’s Fresh Market in collaboration with Numage Trading. Products like Vulture extra virgin olive oil, nduja, and Prosciutto di Parma are showcased. Mani Agency provides Bepin De Eto Prosecco D.O.C.G. (2015) and Odoardi Terra Damia I.G.T. Rosso (2013).
TRUE ITALIAN TASTE: INFLUENCER TRIP
Rob Gentile, former chef of Buca, is sent to Italy to learn about the specialties of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. He does workshops on Italian cheese, Prosciutto di San Daniele and learns about Geographical Indications. He explores wineries and Codroipo, a Friulian town.
TRUE ITALIAN TASTE: INFLUENCER TRIP
Joe Baker, former dean of Centennial College’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts visits Puglia and Campania. During his trip, he learns about typical regional products like Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, La Bella della Daunia olives, and La pizza Napoletana with Franco Pepe. The group visits vineyards, olive groves and Michelin star restaurants.
ICCO CANADA AND CENTENNIAL COLLEGE LAUNCH CENTITALIA
Chef Ugo Mura, Chef Paolo Cacciani, Alberto Lazzoni, Chef Filippo Saporito, Chef Rocco Grisoni, Tiziana Tedesco, Astrid D’Urzo, Corrado Paina, Silvia Tracogna, Maria Stea, Chef Allison Iannarelli Photo credit: Giulia Storti
ICCO Canada and Centennial College create CENTItalia. Week-long programming includes a food symposium and masterclasses featuring prominent chefs from Italy – Chefs Ugo Mura, Valentino Cassanelli, Paolo Cacciani, and Michelin Star Chef Filippo Saporito. The week culminates with ICCO Canada’s Pentola d’Oro gala held at the Carlu. In the fall, a group of buyers from Ontario visit Foggia, best known for its olive oil, Gargano lemons and Bella di Cerignola olives.
CANADA SAYS HELLO TO THE EXTRAORDINARY ITALIAN TASTE
ICCO Canada hosts a tasting at Lady York Foods with il Botolo
The Italian Ministry of Economic Development launches the Extraordinary Italian Taste program. The purpose is to highlight 100% made-in-Italy products. Pop-up tastings take place at Cheese Boutique and Lady York Foods. A buyer trip to Cibus, an international agri-food sector trade show, is organized. In anticipation of CETA, buyers seek out new Italian food products for Canadian grocery shelves.
