The third week of Italian cuisine in the world opened in Serbia until November 25, in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis and Subotica. This year, the theme is “Mediterranean Nutrition” which makes Italy one of the healthiest countries in the world. Italy will present this event with over 1300 events in 110 countries. The food sector is a symbol, but also a concrete element of Italy’s economy and identity. This sector includes over 220 billion euros in turnover in Italy, 44 billion euros in exports and affects 13% of gross domestic product.
Italian Embassy in Serbia is organized by the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade in cooperation with the Italian
Institute of Culture (IIC), the Italian Foreign Trade Agency (ICE), the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen (CCIS), the Association of Italian Businessmen in Serbia (Confindustria Serbia) the Consulate of Italy in Subotica and the Cultural Center “Piazza Italia”, supported by the brand Maxi (which is the main sponsor) and AgriSer.
The introductory event was presented on Monday, November 19, titled “Tastes of Italy in Serbia” and included the tasting of products characteristic for Italians (in cooperation with the Italian food community IFOODQ). Among the first events of the Third Week of Italian Cuisine in the world, a seminar on olive oil will be organized by the Italian Foreign Trade Agency on Tuesday, November 20th, at the Palazzo Italia in Belgrade, followed by the seminar “Territory, Quality, Food, Health” organized by the Embassy and the Ministries of Agriculture of Italy and Serbia on Friday, November 23 at the Metropol Palace Hotel, seminar “Cheeses of Italy, Art and Skills” organized by the Italian Institute for Culture in Belgrade and Slow Food Serbia on November 20 in “Palazzo Italia”. The Chamber of Italian – Serbian businessmen will organize a two – day fair of Italian products “Made in Italy in Serbia” on Friday and Saturday, November 23rd and 24th at the Metropol Palace Hotel. Two special events for November 22 are planned: one is already dedicated to food in Italian works (“Food in Italian Literature”) organized by the Italian Institute of Culture in the “Fabrika” club, while the other is the kitchen “among the clouds” (” Magnifica “evening), organized by the Association of Italian Businessmen in Serbia and Alitalia, at the Credo restaurant within the Courtyard by Marriott hotel. In Subotica, thanks to the activities of the Cultural Center “Piazza Italia”, there will be held didactic workshops on Italian cuisine.
The program of the third Sunday of Italian cuisine will enrich Maxi supermarkets in Serbia, which from the 15th of November will present special promotions dedicated to Italian products, called “Italy to your taste”, and the offer will last until November 28th. Culinary arts will also be presented through “live cooking”, which is also one of the features of this year’s Italian Cuisine Week, so the main chef Nenad Veljkovic has already prepared Italian food on November 17th, and this will be repeated on Saturday, November 24 at Maxi Supermarket “Alonso”, while the Italian chef, Michelin starred Eros Piko, will be holding a “masterclass” at the HoReCa Metro Cash and Carry Center on Tuesday, November 20th.
Finally, in accordance with the tradition from the previous years, under the initiative “All for the table” 26 restaurants in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis and Subotica will also offer a special menu for tasting, also from November 19 to 25, dedicated to the third Sunday of Italian cuisine in the world.
Photo: Dragan Todorović