Italian Regional Cuisine Week Begins in São Paulo

The city of São Paulo is celebrating the XIII Italian Regional Cuisine Week from October 21 to 27. This annual event, organized by the Consulate General of Italy with support from the Italian Academy of Cuisine, has become a staple in the city’s culinary scene. It aims to highlight the diversity and richness of Italian cuisine and introduce lesser-known ingredients and dishes to the Brazilian public.

Honoring 150 Years of Italian Immigration

This year’s edition of the event marks a special occasion—the 150th anniversary of the beginning of Italian immigration to Brazil. To commemorate this, São Paulo is being symbolically recognized as the “21st Italian region.” Basilicata Ristorante, a historic venue in the Bela Vista neighborhood, is offering a special menu that blends Italo-Brazilian cuisine, reflecting the influence of millions of Italian immigrants who made Brazil their home.

Chefs Representing Italian Regions

As is tradition, 20 renowned chefs from Italy are invited to participate in the week-long event. Each chef will collaborate with a selected restaurant in São Paulo, representing a different Italian region.

This year, the regions of Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piedmont, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d’Aosta, and Veneto are being represented.

A Tribute to Italian Immigrants

Domenico Fornara, the Consul General of Italy in São Paulo, emphasized that this year’s event is a tribute to the Italian immigrants who brought a part of their gastronomic culture with them. “Organizing the Week of Cuisine while celebrating 150 years of Italian immigration to Brazil honors those who came here and shared their culinary traditions,” Fornara said.

He also noted that the event allows the large Italian-Brazilian community in São Paulo to reconnect with their roots through traditional dishes and ingredients.

Special Menus Across São Paulo’s Top Restaurants

Throughout the week, top restaurants across São Paulo will offer special four-course menus that showcase authentic Italian dining, including antipasto, primo (first course), secondo (main course), and dolce (dessert). The invited chefs create the recipes, and the local restaurant teams prepare the meals, ensuring a unique collaboration.

This culinary exchange highlights the wide variety of Italy’s regional ingredients and traditional production methods. Italy is known for more than 300 high-quality products with P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin), I.G.P. (Protected Geographical Indication), and S.T.G. (Traditional Specialty Guaranteed) labels.

Conclusion

Italian Regional Cuisine Week not only provides an opportunity to savor the rich culinary traditions of Italy but also fosters a deeper connection between Italian heritage and the Brazilian community. This event continues to build bridges between cultures, uniting people through a shared love for exceptional food.