The eighth annual edition of the Italian Cuisine World Summit will take place from November 7-17 in Dubai, bringing together Italian restaurants, food and wine producers, as well as Michelin-starred chefs.
The aim of the summit - which last year involved 60 Italian restaurants and hotels, 40 Michelin starred chefs and 80 partners - is to celebrate, promote and educate consumers about Italian cuisine, its ingredients, manufacturers and the hospitality environment of Dubai.
The event also seeks to reward establishments that prioritise authenticity and quality, and it will act as a preview for the first Italian Cuisine Week, a promotion under the patronage of the Italian Government to be held from November 21 to 27.
The Italian Cuisine World Summit has collaboration agreements with Dubai World Trade Centre (Italy is the country partner of the Food Specialty Fair in November), the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA), the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management and IICUAE (Italian Industry and Commerce office in the UAE).
The event is managed by Exquisite Communications and IRC – Italian Restaurant Consulting, an international organisation that assists Italian restaurants around the world, either in starting up or in strengthening their concepts.
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Some key events in the programme include:
- The Summit at Speciality Food Festival (November 7-9) – Dubai World Trade Centre
Hundreds of exhibitors are expected to join the summit and live stations will be set up across the arena with demos, gelato stands and cooking competitions taking place.
- Italian Cuisine Master Classes (November 7-9) – Dubai World Trade Centre
Italian chefs impart their knowledge during masterclasses. Held throughout the summit, the masterclasses will focus on different areas of Italian cuisine and are hosted in collaboration with Universitá Pizza and the ICCA.
- Italian Pizza World Summit (November 7-10) - Dubai World Trade Centre
Pitting the pizzerias of Dubai with those from the GCC and around the world, this competition is held at each edition of the summit and adjudicated by a panel of Italian cuisine experts.
- 'The Future of the Pizza – The Pizza of the Future' congress and 10th 'Pizza Up' symposium (November 8-10)
A series of demonstrations, classes and dinners, bringing together industry experts at the ICCA, Speciality Food Festival and the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.
- 'The Italian Pizza Gourmet Dinner of the Century' (November 9) – Billionaire Mansion, Taj Dubai
Billionaire Mansion will host a dinner by Michelin starred chefs and respected pizza chefs.
- Italian Summit golfing day (November 10) – Jumeirah Golf Estates
A world golf tournament with five gourmet stations at the holes, offering the chance to taste delicacies made by Michelin starred chefs. The tournament will be followed by a gala dinner featuring the same chefs.
- 'United Nations by Italian Cuisine' gala dinner (November 12) – JW Marriot Marquis Dubai
Twenty five Michelin starred chefs will join 180 cooks across 18 nationalities to present their dishes before 600 guests.
- Exclusive dinner event (November 13) – Social by Heinz Beck, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Heinz Beck presents an evening called 'Best Kept Secrets of Italian Grapes’ at his restaurant.
Some key contests and competitions include:
- 2nd Gelato Chef’s Cup
Gelato is a staple of Italian gastronomic culture and, as such, the contest brings together Italian pastry chefs to compete.
- 8th Risotto World Contest
The competition is held exclusively among professional chefs and aims to reaffirming the history of this dish. A jury of experts will evaluate the competitors.
- 7th Pasta Premier League
Aiming to promote chefs, restaurants and pasta manufacturers, the competition sees a series of pasta dishes put to the test before the a panel of experts.
- 4th Italian Espresso World Summit
The contest is open to selected baristas, with four sensory judges and one technical judge determining the best espressos.
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