#MadeinItaly: The Extraordinary Italian Taste Project

Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario commences new program to highlight authentic Italian goods

Toronto, March 24, 2016 – This year, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) is executing a series of initiatives to raise awareness for authentic Made in Italy products by highlighting the designations, traceability, quality control, and certifications that true Italian goods must have on their labels. The goal is to educate Canadian consumers on how to identify and appreciate an authentic Italian product, in order to help them make informed purchases and experience the inimitable quality of Italian food exports. The program is mandated and supported by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies.

ICCO’s 2016 #MadeinItaly program includes educational tours to Italy, food tastings around the GTA, and a week full of programming – called ‘Italian Week’ – in collaboration with Centennial College. Chefs from Italy will visit Toronto to offer intensive education programs to students, as well as assist in creating menus using authentic Italian products. As part of the campaign, Centennial College’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts will host its first ever Italian Food Symposium, CentITALIA, which will bring prominent chefs, food and wine experts, restaurateurs, influencers, educators, journalists, and foodies together for a day of food education, inspiration and celebration.

“ICCO’s goal with this project is to help Canadian consumers identify DOP (Protected Designation of Origin), IGP (Protected Geographical Indication), and DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) products when they buy their groceries,” explains Corrado Paina, Executive Director at the ICCO. “At the same time, we want to reach food industry experts, chefs, as well as the general public to offer suggestions on how to prepare dishes that enhance all their unique properties and characteristics.”

To speak with Corrado Paina, ICCO’s Executive Director, for additional program details, or high-res images of select Made in Italy products, please contact Jessica McAfee: jmcafee@mattepr.com / 416-515-7667.

About the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO)
Since it was founded in 1961, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO), has been a facilitator of business, a seeker of investment, and a builder of commercial relationships. The ICCO is an independent, non-profit organization whose aim is to enhance and promote investments, business, trade and cultural relations between Canada and Italy. For more information visit www.italchambers.ca.