With the goal of promoting Italian culinary traditions and food-and-wine connoisseurship as a distinctive trait of Italian identity and culture, the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World reaches its second edition, which will take place in San Francisco and the Bay Area November 13-19, 2017.

The concept of the initiative is based on a few key points: bring forth high-quality cuisine, safeguard and promote Italian products, create narratives of the Italian territories. Another objective of the Week is to enhance the sustainability of the food & wine system, through culture, education, tourism. In respect to San Francisco and the Bay Area, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Consulate General of Italy have partnered with the local chapter of the Accademia della Cucina Italiana, as well as several Italian restaurants, to offer a series of events.

1. Mantua – 2017 European Capital of Gastronomy
The city of Mantua and its surrounding region, East Lombardy, have been selected by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism as the 2017 European Capital of Gastronomy. Once the seat of the powerful Gonzaga Dukes, Mantua enjoys a unique position between the delicate flavors of Lake Garda, to the north, and the hearty inspirations of Emilia Romagna, to the south. From the very city of Mantua, chef Eleonora De Marchi will set foot in San Francisco for presentations focusing on the historic culinary traditions of her city.

- Monday, November 13. Exclusive dinner at Villa Taverna Club in San Francisco. Eleonora De Marchi has crafted a menu for this evening and will join Villa Taverna’s executive chef Josh Heiskell.

- Thursday, November 16. Presentation and tasting of the food of East Lombardy at the Italian Cultural Institute. With food blogger and educator, Viola Buitoni, and chef Eleonora De Marchi.

- Friday, November 17 (TBC). Cooking demonstration by chef Eleonora De Marchi at Donato Enoteca in Redwood City, with a special East Lombardy menu.

2. Tradition and innovation in Sicilian Cooking
Acclaimed chef Accursio Capraro will bring to San Francisco the magnificent originality of his Michelin-starred restaurant in Modica (Sicily), where he achieved fame by combining tradition and innovation. Let your imagination run free such and envision the miraculous creations with such ingredients as fennel, saffron, sea urchins, and prickly pear.

- Thursday, November 16. Cooking demonstration by chef Accursio Capraro at A16 Restaurant, with a special Sicilian menu.

- Saturday, November 18. Cooking demonstration by chef Accursio Capraro at Cotogna Restaurant, with a special Sicilian menu.

3. Italian Restaurants celebrate Cuisine Week
During the entire Week, the Italian restaurants that have been recognized by the Accademia della Cucina Italiana in the Bay Area, will offer a special menu inspired by either Mantua or Sicily, the two themes of this year’s edition. A brochure will be available with a list of restaurants and more details.

For more information: Italian Cultural Institute contact.sanfrancisco@esteri.it 415 788-7142