The Diplomat
Last Wednesday, 12 November, the Ambassador of Italy, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, hosted in his residence, in the suggestive setting of the Palace of Amboage, the event Flavors in dialogue: the Mediterranean diet as a shared heritage between Italy and Spain, made in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Gastronomy and Coldiretti as part of the X edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World.
The highly successful initiative was attended by some 80 guests, including institutional representatives, experts, operators in the sector and members of the Italian and Spanish communities.
When opening the work, Ambassador Buccino Grimaldi stressed that the Mediterranean diet represents a meeting point between Italian and Spanish culinary traditions, defining it as “a union of health, culture and innovation”. He also stressed the fundamental role of the training of new generations, represented last night by the students of the Italian School in Madrid, and recalled the common battle against the “red light” system, which would have penalized olive oil, almost won thanks to the collaboration between the Ministers of Agriculture, Lollobrigida and Planas.
During the debate, the speakers’ interventions presented the value of the Mediterranean diet not only as a healthy food model, but also as an economic and cultural lever capable of uniting sustainability, identity and innovation. The president of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy, Luis Suárez de Lezo, highlighted that it embodies a model of shared life and attractive for both countries.
Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO of Filiera Italia and Coldiretti, recalled the central role played by the Italian agri-food chain, which generates more than €700 billion in turnover and employs over 4 million people; stressing the importance of promoting quality and sustainable agriculture.
Stefano Pisani, mayor of Pollica and spokesman for the UNESCO Mediterranean Diet Emblematic Community, recalled the relationship between this food model and longevity. In the same line, nutritionist Gregorio Varela Mareira, from San Pablo CEU University, highlighted that it represents “the best dietary lifestyle” for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. A concept also taken up by Maurizio Di Ubaldo, president of the Academy of Italian Cuisine, who also highlighted the role of coexistence as a space for meeting and exchange between generations, in which tradition and innovation come together in respect for the raw material.
The dialogue between tradition and modernity was further enriched by the interventions of Cristina Brizzolari, as founder of the «Riso Buono» brand and president of Coldiretti Piemonte, and Francisco Vañó, director of the Castillo de Canena Group, who discussed the challenges and opportunities related to promoting local products in a global market.
The Abruzzo was also the protagonist of the evening, represented by Maurizio Di Ubaldo and star chef Marcello Spadone, who, together with his team, proposed a gastronomic tour inspired by the excellences of the Abruzzese tradition, rooted in the nature and landscapes of the Maiella. Representing the Spanish cuisine, in particular the Madrid, chef Juanjo López, who, together with Spadone and the chef of the Embassy, Giuseppe Ferraro, signed the final menu of the event: a harmonious synthesis of flavors, experiences and cultures, symbol of an authentic culinary dialogue between Italy and Spain.
