THE ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO AND CONSULATE GENERAL OF ITALY IN CHICAGO ANNOUNCE THE PROGRAM FOR THE WEEK OF ITALIAN CUISINE IN THE WORLD
The Week of Italian Cuisine will be dedicated to the theme “Dining with the Italian cuisine: well-being with taste” with a specific focus on the encounter between tradition and innovation in culinary practices.
The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago and the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago, announce a series of initiatives that will take place on November 13-19, presented on the occasion of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, a yearly initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The theme selected in 2023 is “Dining with the Italian cuisine: well-being with taste.”
Local communities are invited to enjoy the tasting menu created by guest Chef Bley Daniel Ble for Tradition & Innovation: an Afroitalian Night, a ticketed event presented in collaboration with renowned Chicago’s restaurant Casati’s Modern Italian (444 W. Fullerton Pkwy) on Thursday, November 16th. The Italian-Ivorian Chef of the famous Milan restaurant Lom Dopolavoro, will present a menu dedicated to the encounter of traditional Italian cuisine with ingredients and suggestions of his Ivorian roots, in an experiential journey that opens up new perspectives on the potential of culinary innovation.
«We are thrilled to host this special night in Chicago. Italian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its exquisite flavors, rustic preparations, and regional specialties. It has been our mission to share and highlight the depth and breadth of Italian food and shed a light on the ingredients and culture from around the world that make it so fascinating and worth celebrating,» says Stefano Casati, co-owner of Casati’s Modern Italian.
Melanie Casati, co-owner of Casati’s Modern Italian adds: «We are privileged to have Chef Bley Daniel Ble prepare this exciting meal for this immersive experience that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also educates and fosters appreciation for the diverse culinary heritage of Italy.»
«The initiative is an important part of our 2023 programming series Chi Siamo: [Re]presenting Italian Culture», says Luca Di Vito, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, «because it relates to some of the work that we are bringing to the local public, related to the changes and evolutions in Italian arts and culture, and how these are influenced by the encounter of diverse cultural practices. Similarly, we are working with Italian actress Gaia Mencagli to present her original theater monologue that explores familial bonds through the generational sharing of culinary traditions, which speaks to the ways in which culture is shaped over time».
Gaia Mencagli will bring her monologue Stories of Eggs and Flour to Chicago on Friday, November 17th. The performance will be presented at Roosevelt University, thanks to the collaboration of the College of Performing Arts. Thanks to eggs, flour, and an apron, Rosa tastes one more time the scent of her life. Between handfuls of flour, Rosa relieves some of the most significant moments of her life, accompanied by music, objects, and people from that time. All this while making fettuccine.
The performance will also be presented in Minneapolis, MN at Open Eye Theatre (November 8th); in St. Croix, WI at St. Croix Festival Theatre (November 10th and 11th); and in Madison, WI at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where it will officially open the Week of Italian Cuisine.
