Italian Cuisine Week ends in Kenya

(ANSA) - NAIROBI, 23 NOV - The celebratory events of the Week of the italian cuisine in the world, an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, organised by embassies, cultural institutes and foreign trade agencies (Ita).
    After the opening in Malindi and Watamu, coastal tourist destinations, last weekend, and a series of masterclasses between Malindi and Nairobi, the closing of the week was entrusted to a further event to promote Italian food and wine and the Mediterranean diet in the Kenyan capital, which was held in a well-known Italian restaurant.
    In the presence of the Ambassador of Italy, Roberto Natali, the Kenyan Deputy Foreign Minister, Korir Sing'oei, and the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Alex Wachira, high level culinary specialities prepared by chef Luca Mastromattei, ambassador of Italian taste in the world, were offered.
    Natali, in presenting a book published by the embassy, entitled 'Write Spaghetti, not spaggeti', which in an amusing way also invites to the correct spelling of Italian dishes and recipes, wanted to remind us that Italian cuisine is not just a matter of eating or drinking, although Italy itself is often more easily recognised under this aspect.
    "Promoting our food and wine also means talking about a country with many varieties of landscapes, including mountains, plains and 8,000 kilometres of coastline, and with products that change from region to region, just like their preparation. Our task is also to defend food culture from the phenomenon of Italian Sounding, whereby the modified names of our foods or recipes are often combined with counterfeit products that are far removed from the true tradition of Italian cuisine,' Natali said.
    Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Kenya, Deputy Minister Sing'oei recalled the close ties between the two countries, of which gastronomy is an important aspect, as is conviviality at the table. "We consider Italy a fundamental partner. Our history is the story of a journey we have made together, a bond that has grown and strengthened over the years and that today embraces many sectors,' said Sing'oei.