On March 17, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South-Central and the Consulate General of Italy in Houston celebrated authentic Italian gastronomy with a virtual dinner and wine pairing, featuring leading Italian food producers and winemakers. Guests at the invite-only event included top food and wine professionals, as well as local food-focused influencers and journalists.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Extraordinary Italian Taste” campaign. Guests were invited to follow both organizations on social media using the hashtags: #iffoodcouldtalk #trueitaliantaste #extraordinaryitaliantaste.
Authentic Italian Table
“Nothing Like the Real Thing.”
VIRTUAL DINNER – BY INVITATION ONLY
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
7:30 p.m. CST
The dinner featured a selection of wines and products from several Taste of Italy exhibitors: wines from Le Velette (Umbria) and Cantine Silvestri (Lazio); extra-virgin olive oil from Olio Zucchi; pasta from Vero Italian Traditional Food; and cheeses from Monti Trentini.
Menu by Chef Giancarlo Ferrara, Amalfi Ristorante Italiano e Bar (Houston)
Antipasto
Trentino Focaccia with Truffle Cheese and Speck
Olive oil focaccia stuffed with melted truffle cheese and speck, served with potato salad.
First Course
Calamarata with Saffron Sauce, Zucchini Blossoms, and Aged Vezzena Cheese
Calamarata pasta served with saffron sauce, baby zucchini blossoms, and imported aged Vezzena cheese from Trentino, Italy.
Second Course
Chicken Supreme Stuffed with Spinach and Lagorai Cheese
Organic chicken breast stuffed with Lagorai cheese and sautéed spinach with extra-virgin olive oil and onion, lightly breaded and oven roasted, served with Brussels sprouts and scalloped potatoes.
Dessert
Neapolitan Sfogliatella with Vanilla Cream and Fabbri Sour Cherries
Traditional Neapolitan sfogliatella—crispy and flaky pastry—stuffed with semolina, ricotta, and candied orange zest cream, served with vanilla pastry cream and Fabbri sour cherries in syrup.
Wines
Cantine Silvestri (Lazio): Sparkling Brut 2020 and Rosso Colli Castelli Romani 2019
Le Velette (Umbria): Accordo Sangiovese 2015
