DETROIT (USA) – The Consulate of Italy in Detroit, wrapping up the 9th Edition of the “Week of Italian Cuisine in the World,” expressed satisfaction for the celebration of Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The initiative aimed to promote Italian food traditions, the use of healthy ingredients, and the Mediterranean diet’s role in fostering a balanced lifestyle for people of all ages. This week-long celebration brought together the community to savor Italy’s best through engaging, immersive, and educational activities.
The week began with a heartfelt embrace of tradition and storytelling, organized in collaboration with Dante Alighieri Michigan. Guests enthusiastically participated in a screening of the beloved film Big Night, a work that explores cultural and emotional connections to authentic Italian cuisine. Attendees brought dishes inspired by their own traditions, creating a lively potluck that celebrated food’s power to connect people.
The event highlighted the deep links between health, identity, and tradition, emphasizing the sense of community that emerges around a shared meal. In collaboration with the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Detroit’s oldest soup kitchen, Italian culinary traditions were shared with hundreds of people in need. Over 400 meals, inspired by Mediterranean diet principles, were prepared by Consul Baistrocchi and her team and served to those in need. The event underscored the accessibility and generosity of Italian food culture.
Professor Grazia Menechella delivered a fascinating lecture on Julia Lovejoy Cuniberti’s role in adapting Italian recipes for American kitchens. The virtual session, followed by enthusiasts across the Midwest, showcased the evolution of Italian cuisine as it merged with American traditions. In Michigan and Ohio, students immersed themselves in Italian culinary traditions through hands-on cooking classes. From preparing Tortelli alle Spezie delle Vie della Seta in Ann Arbor to mastering SpaghettiAmo in Columbus, these events engaged young people in the art of Italian cooking, fostering a love for fresh and flavorful ingredients.
Tonight, the festivities will culminate with the much-anticipated Italo-Apero-Disco at the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit. More than 100 guests will enjoy a silent disco experience while savoring a delicious, healthy aperitivo. The ongoing exhibition Radici at the museum will provide the perfect backdrop for this dynamic evening of food, music, and movement—a modern twist on timeless Italian traditions.
