On a warm saturday evening at the Hilton UH, 12 talented young chefs of "La Piccola Cucina" battled it out for a great cause: supporting the programs of the Italian Cultural and Community Center Language School.

The following four teams, listed in order of final placement, took part in a competition designed to challenge the youths' culinary and nutritional knowledge, as well as showcase creativity in food preparation and teamwork, under the guidance of a celebrity chef coming from Italy and three of Houston's best chefs. The young chefs impressed both the technical and popular juries.

The Cannolo Team, led by Executive Chef Fabio Potenzano of the National Italian Culinary team, and composed by young Chefs Pier Francesco Papi, Veronica Pascucci and Giulia Sdringola, prepared cannolo layers with mixed berries, almond cookie with passito sauce and pistachio semifreddo with Modica chocolate sauce.

The Raviolo Team, led by Executive Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Four Seasons Hotel, and composed by young Chefs Ludovica Duchini, Emilio Fronza and Domenica Sepe, prepared polenta ravioli with braised veal cheeks and mushrooms.

The Bruschetta Team, led by Executive Chef JohnMicheal Lynch of Hotel Granduca, and composed by young Chefs Diego Sarmiento, Antonio Vetrini and Robert Wood, prepared gnocco fritto with prosciutto.

The Spiedino Team, led by Executive Chef Alberto Baffoni of Mascalzone restaurant, and composed by young Chefs Chiara Cattano, Camilla Manning and Sadie Weller, prepared smoked saltimbocca with spatzel topped with asparagus.

"It was an evening of education and fun for a great cause" said Tiziana Triolo, Director of Programs and Marketing of the Italian Cultural & Community Center. "I'm very proud of my students, not only for their culinary abilities, but especially for their support to the Center. When I designed this amazing program I had only one thing in mind: teaching Italian language and culture to young generations of all nationalities" continues Tiziana Triolo.

The technical jury, chaired by Executive Chef and Food Expert Renato De Pirro, included the cultural attaché of the Italian Consulate of Italy in San Francisco Paola Ebranati, the food and wine writer and journalist Mike Ricetti, the MD and Nutritionist Cristiana Rastellini, and the owner of Sunbelt Inc and Fellini Caffé Salvatore Albelice.

While the votes of the juries determined the team placements, the young chefs were all winners, being each awarded a $100 scholarship, a trophy and a medal. BRAVISSIMI!

PHOTO CREDITS: Roswitha Vogler

The Italian Cultural & Community Center is a 501c3 whose mission is to preserve, celebrate and advance Italian culture and heritage. To learn more about Italian Cultural & Community Center's multiple programs and offerings visit our website: www.ICCCHouston.com