Mediterranean culture is known for its exquisitely vibrant cuisines that give you a delicious blend of foods made with finely sourced ingredients while making sure the food will be wholesome and healthy. With a view to promoting Italy's food production and gastronomic traditions abroad, an annual themed event called 'The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World,' was created in 2016 by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation's Directorate General for Country Promotion.

The 2022 edition was held from 14 to 20 November, and one of the most important aspects of this event is the 'fiestas' that are held with various themes. On November 17, a fiesta was held at the residence of His Excellency Enrico Nunziata, the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh.

"The week of Italian cuisine is now in its 7th edition, which is an integrated promotion of the initiative that aims to showcase the excellence of Italian food and wine sector support. We want to support exports of our wonderful Italian food culture and accommodate incoming tourist flows by organising targeted events at embassies, consulates, and most importantly, at countries where the local populace gets to experience the Italian hospitality," said Enrico Nunziata.

The venue of the fiesta was decorated marvellously, with four tents like stalls draped in all white clothes, giving off a Mediterranean party vibe. With the chefs busy cooking on the spot in front of everyone, it was not every day that you get to see authentic Italian food made by talented food artisans that requires a lot of labour, freshly sourced organic ingredients, but above all, love and passion for the food.

So what Italian delicacies were there? To start with, there were a variety of pastas, from 'Tagliatelle fatte a mano al pomodoro' which is a fresh homemade tagliatelle pasta with refreshing tomato sauce that serves as a classic recipe of finest Italian traditional dish, to finger foods like 'arancini di riso bianchi' which is your classic cheese balls but fried in olive oil to have a crunchy exterior to have that exquisite taste of cheesy goodness.

Along with the delightful pasta and finger foods, there was also a stall that specialised in meat dishes like 'Brasoto al vino rosso,' a braised beef dish, and 'Polpette di carne fritte,' a soft and golden fried meatball that are made with minced meat, egg, cheese, bread, and various kinds of flavourings! The meat stall, along with the other stalls satisfied the cravings of the guests, who could easily try the pastas and cheese balls, or by having them together to have the ultimate delectable Italian food experience!

Enrico Nunziata further added, "This event is also a reflection of some important issues, like the impact of Mediterranean diet, which is universally recognised as a very healthy diet and very sustainable. We have also organised a fusion exhibition, The Heroes of Food, in association with Slow Food, an organisation that promotes local food and traditional cooking. Through this effort, we want to tell the world of women and men who are defending the traditions and cultures and environments of the communities through food." 

With the theme of 'conviviality, sustainability and innovation,' the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World showcased the charm of Mediterranean food culture and how crucial healthy food habits can lead to better health for people and the protection of the planet.