Authentic Italian Table – Chengdu, June 5th

On June 5th 2022 the “Authentic Italian Table” was held in Chengdu at the Sino-Italian Cultural Exchange Exhibition Hall.

The event focused on the sustainable food production chains, food sustainability and the Mediterranean Diet, with the aim to improve Chinese consumers’ awareness of Italian food and increase the visibility of Italian F&B companies in China.

At the opening of the event, the Consul General of Italy in Chongqing, Mr Guido Bilancini, recalled in a video message how much the food and beverage industry represents an important part of Italy’s economic development. Italy - Consul General Bilancini underlined - as a country with a rich Mediterranean cultural background, hopes to transmit the Mediterranean culinary tradition to all corners of the world.

Then, there was a video message from the Chairman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, Mr Paolo Bazzoni, who began with a greeting to the members of the CICC in the Southwest region, recalling that this was the first time that the Chamber brought the "Authentic Italian Table "in southwestern China. Chairman Bazzoni stressed the importance of organizing such a meaningful event with the support of the Tianfu New Area Sino-Italian Cultural Innovation Industrial Park, one of the main partners of the Chamber in the region. “The CICC has always worked to promote the food industry in China, a country with a rich culture and a well-developed food and beverage industry," Mr Bazzoni said.

Afterwards, the Director of the Sino-Italian Cultural and Innovative Industrial Park in Tianfu New Area, Mr Wu Huaping, stressed the importance of cooperation between the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce and the Sino-Italian Cultural and Innovative Industrial Park, reiterating that all entrepreneurs interested in promoting the Italian food and beverage industry are welcome in Chengdu.

Mr Gianluca Luisi, Vice President of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China, then presented the "True Italian Taste", a project created to promote Italian food and encourage Chinese distributors in the sector to import genuine ingredients from Italy.

Our keynote session began with a talk on food sustainability and the food supply chain by Ms Federica Fiocchetti, an experienced Italian Chef from the Italian restaurant Blue Social Cantina in Chengdu. She explained how to maximize the health benefits of ingredients in the preparation of Italian cuisine and shared useful cooking techniques to the audiences which Western and Chinese cuisine have in common. Mr Gianluca Luisi introduced the basics of olive oil around the theme of Mediterranean diet, explaining the differences between olive oils from different regions, how to select olive oil and how to skillfully combine olive oil with Chinese food.

The second part of the event was an outdoor Italian food market. Seven Italian food booths, made up of our members, were open to the guests: ChinEAT, Vito’s Wine, VM Fine Wine, Blue Social Cantina, Peroni, Carrie’s Gelateria, Delonghi. The guests enjoyed the beer, wine, gelato, coffee and Italian food brought by the exhibitors. 

Thank you to all the caterers, sponsors, KOLs and influencers, media and journalists who participated and supported the event, and we look forward to seeing you again at future "Authentic Italian Table" events.

To view the live photos of the event, please scan the QR code below:

In addition, we will also be holding an online "Authentic Italian Table" cooking competition. You can create your own Italian food by browsing the recipes on the "Authentic Italian Table" mini program. Send a video or photo of your cooking with your contact details to trueitaliantaste@outlook.com by June 20th to enter the competition and win prizes such as olive oil and tickets to the movie "The Italian Recipe".

We would like to invite all participants to fill in the following questionnaire and leave your valuable comments and suggestions:

Special thanks to our F&B partners for this event:

The "Authentic Italian Table" is organized within the framework of the project "True Italian Taste", promoted and financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and carried out by Assocamerestero in collaboration with the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad to enhance and safeguard the authentic Italian food product.