As Italy retains its position as one of the top exporters of agri-food to the UAE, Italian food products like pasta, confectionery, chocolate, cheese and olive oil, on display at Italian Trade Agency’s (ITA) ‘ITAlian Food Lab’ in Gulfoodcaptured the interest of visitors. Divine aroma of Italian cooking filled the stand as Michelin Star Italian Chefs and local Chefs, specialized in Italian cooking, served up delicious dishes to visitors to the Italian stand.

H.E. Nicola Lener, Ambassador of Italy to the United Arab Emirates, said: “As the most competitive global sourcing event for the HORECA sector with a strong appeal for food lovers, Gulfood is a key event for Italy’s agri-food sector to showcase the diversity of Italian food, which is quite popular in the UAE, the second-largest importer of Italian products among GCC countries. In the first 11 months of 2020, despite the general decrease of Italian agri-food exports to the UAE (which registered a value of 217 million of Euro), pasta went up by 30%, flour and pastry products by 17% and cereals by 13%.”

According to Amedeo Scarpa, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE and Director of ITA Dubai Office: “At the ITAlian Food Lab visitors get a chance to taste new Italian flavours and combinations. Live cooking stations at our stand give local Chefs specialized in Italian cuisine, an opportunity to display their talent and thus, increase their restaurant visibility. Through our Masterclasses we want to draw attention to issues like food wastage in the restaurant industry and encourage responsible consumption and production.”

On the first day of Gulfood, visitors to the ITAlian Food Lab enjoyed a Masterclass by renowned 2 Michelin Star Chef Marco Sacco, who is known for his love of local products and traditional Italian culture, which forms the base of his dishes. Hegave tips on how to reduce food wastage in the kitchen, while Norbert Niederkofler, 3 Michelin Star Chef, who regards food as the key to understanding the love of life and the world, is also lined up for a Masterclass to create awareness on food loss and waste.

In addition,Chefs Marcello Rivetti,Giuseppe Pezzella, Francesco Acquaviva, Davide Gardini,Alfredo Albergatore and Alessandro Miceli, from the Italian restaurants in the UAE will delight visitors with their master creations during the five-day fair.

There are recipe demonstrations by the following companies at ITA stand in ITAlian Food Lab to showcase the uniqueness of their products.

Participating companies at ITA stand in ITAlian Food Lab:

1. AssopafAgrindustriaAlimentare- Genuine and certified tomato products: https://www.assopaf.it/
2. Campo D’OroS.r.l. – Classical and bio products from Sicily: https://www.campodoro.com/en/
3. Con Gusto Italian Fine Foods: Italian food specialist in the UAE: https://www.congusto.ae/
4. The Fontina Cooperative Val D’Aosta – High quality cheeses: https://www.fontina-valledaosta.it/en-gb/about-us
5. Gargiulo – Authentic extra virgin olive oil of Sorrento: https://www.frantoiogargiulo.com/en/
6. Happy Mama – Creative kitchen products: http://www.happymama.it/en/
7. Qubik Caffe’-Vidiz& Kessler coffee blend designers from Trieste: https://www.qubik.eu/en/

The ITAlian Food Lab is in Sheikh Saeed Hall # S1-302 in Dubai World Trade Centre from February 21-25, 2021.