On November 16-17, 2024, the Italian Culinary Experience will take center stage at the Molteni showroom in Shanghai’s Huangpu district, coinciding with the 9th edition of the Italian Cuisine Week in the World. Designed for Chinese culinary educators, the event aims to deepen understanding of Italian culinary traditions and promote Italian food education across China.
The initiative is part of the Italian Culinary Program, led by the Italian Trade Agency in mainland China, in collaboration with Italy’s diplomatic network and ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine. The programme seeks to build stronger cultural ties between Italy and China through culinary exchange, focusing on Italian gastronomy’s educational and cultural value.
Since its inception, the Italian Culinary Program has involved 32 Chinese culinary schools, engaging almost 7,000 students and 70 instructors. This year’s Italian Culinary Experience will be the highlight of a packed 2024 schedule, culminating in activities with nine leading culinary institutions in China, including Zhejiang Tourism College, Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational University, and Beijing Jingsong Vocational High School.
THE 2024 ITALIAN CULINARY EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME
Over two days, participants engaged in thematic sessions on key Italian ingredients—extra virgin olive oil, truffles, cheeses, wines, coffee, and chocolate—alongside expert-led workshops. Michelin-starred chef Leonardo Zambrino, from Chengdu, conducted a hands-on session, preparing an Italian menu using 26 Italian PGI products covered by the EU-China mutual recognition agreement on protected designations of origin.
The event will also include prominent Chinese food influencers (KOLs), who are integral to a broader strategy promoting Italian food culture on platforms like RED, Weibo, and WeChat. These influencers will highlight the premium quality and health benefits of Italian food, targeting the growing Chinese appetite for authentic, high-end culinary experiences.
All six of the event’s sessions will be conducted in Mandarin, covering a wide range of Italian specialties. A wine tasting will offer a deep dive into Italian wine regions, classification systems, and food pairings, complemented by tastings of six signature wines. Other sessions will include an exploration of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar from Modena, and an in-depth look at Italian cheeses, with tastings and insights into their production methods.
The final day will feature sessions on truffles, chocolate, and coffee, with instructors sampling Italian-made chocolate, including single-origin dark chocolate, and learning the art of brewing authentic Italian espresso.
ITALIAN F&B IN CHINA
Market data for 2023 reveals that China imported $761 million worth of Italian food and beverages, up 2.18% from the previous year, even as total Chinese food imports declined by 5.14%. This outperformance is notable, with Italian products faring better than some European competitors, such as the Netherlands (-9%) and Spain (-11.46%).
From January to September 2024, Italy’s food exports to China rose 11.38% to $607 million, while overall Chinese food imports dropped 10.81%, underscoring the growing demand for Italian culinary products in the region.