Conviviality, sustainability and innovation: the ingredients of Italian cuisine for the health of people and the protection of the planet. This is the title of the promotional initiative dedicated to the various culinary realities of our country as well as agriculture and its consumption.

The project is of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Italian Accademia della Cucina Italiana signed in 2016, now in its 7th edition. This involves the participation of the consular diplomatic network and the 80 Delegations abroad of the AIC as institutional partners.

In Los Angeles, the Consulate General under the direction of Consul General Silvia Chiave, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) have initiated various initiatives.

The Italian Cultural Institute, whose director is Emanuele Amendola, screened the film "Gli Amigos" by Paolo Genovese, a journey through the production territory of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese starring Massimo Bottura. This was followed by a food panel discussion with Chef Michele Casadei Massari, Parmigiano Reggiano brand ambassador in the U.S., Jeremy Spiegel executive producer, and Mattia Agazzi, chef at Gucci restaurant in Beverly Hills. The event concluded with a rich tasting.

Eataly, the food megastore, offered basic pizza ingredients at moderate prices during the week, and hosted a pizza master class in its pizzeria by pizza influencer Vito Iacobelli, organized by Alessandra Rainaldi, director of the ICE office in Los Angeles.

Also at Eataly was an educational cooking class for students in the Italian course organized by the Cultural Institute in collaboration with the Walter Longo Foundation. Prof Walter Longo is known for his studies on nutrition related to healthy life extension.

The Accademia della Cucina Italiana organized a Neapolitan pizza verace master class at the laboratory school Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) based in Los Angeles with jurisdiction over Canada and Mexico as well, directed by Peppe Miele. Here guests not only attended the class, but also had the opportunity not only to taste the verace pizza, but to make their own Neapolitan verace pizza and delight in many other pizzas.

The series of events concluded on Sunday, November 20, with a truffle dinner for 42 people by the Accademia della Cucina Italiana at the Casa Modena Restaurant. Delegate Mariella Salvatori presented the academic guidon to chef and owner Umberto Ferri, known as the truffle hunter, in recognition of the excellence of his restaurant, which will be listed as an excellent Italian restaurant in the Accademia della Cucina Italiana's app dedicated to the best Italian restaurants. Umberto Ferri also owns 9 hectares of truffle farms near Bologna, a magnificent example of agricultural innovation.

On this special occasion, the Accademia della Cucina Italiana wanted to bid farewell to the Consul General and his family as his mission in Los Angeles comes to an end soon.