On the occasion of the highly anticipated culinary festival LA Food Bowl organized by the Los Angeles Times throughout the entire month of May and in anticipation of the 2nd Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, the Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) in Los Angeles dedicates two special events to one of the most appreciated Italian products in the world: extra virgin olive oil.

Representing Italian excellence is the company Filippo Berio, which will celebrate 150 years of activity this year and launch its US Road Show in Los Angeles on May 3. Since its creation, the Berio brand has met continued success throughout the years, becoming one of the best-known and utilized olive oils in the United States.

The IIC Director Valeria Rumori and the Consul General of Italy, Antonio Verde will open the special evening dedicated to Filippo Berio on May 8.  The CEO of Filippo Berio North America, Marco de Ceglie, the CEO of GP Communications North America, Giovanni Pellerito and the Italian Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, Florindo Blandolino will participate.

For the occasion, Chef Dustin J. Trani, a celebrity Californian chef trained in Italy and with the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), will present the olive oil production process, the richness of flavors and aromas, the best way to use olive in various recipes.

The road show dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the brand Filippo Berio will begin in Los Angeles – declares Marco de Ceglie the North American CEO of Filippo Berio – in 2017 we will present in the most important headquarters of Italian institutions in the United States recounting and celebrating the entrepreneurial story of the Filippo Berio, who 150 years ago created the Italian olive oil market in the US. The Italian company subsequently consolidated its presence and today is the best-selling olive oil in the North American market. We are delighted to represent our country at this important event at the IIC Los Angeles – continues de Ceglie – just as Berio represented Italy in the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago where he won the top-prize for quality, even today – concludes de Ceglie – we feel honored to represent the brand at events that are equally important.

Valeri Rumori, IIC Director, underlines the importance of launching the Road Show at the IIC, which is in line with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s integrated promotion plan for Sistema Italia on an international level and in synergy with all its components, culture, economy and trade.

The objective is in fact to bring Italian excellence to the IIC with an entrepreneurial champion such as Filippo Berio, while as the same time in Los Angeles, another Italian champion, Massimo Bottura, a self-defined “artiere” of Italian cuisine.

The event was anticipated by a presentation reserved for IIC members and Italian language students at the Institute on May 3. Led by the olive oil expert, Simon Field, founder of Savantes, an independent organization promoting excellence in olive oil production, the participants learned about and tasted select varieties of Berio.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Los Angeles (IIC)
Founded in 1984 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to promote Italian culture in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Directed by Valeria Rumori since 2015, the Institute promotes Italian Language through language courses and events in collaboration with numerous local institutions with the goal of presenting Italy in all of its cultural richness: architecture, cinema, design, literature, music, science, theater and the visual arts.
www.iiclosangeles.esteri.it
www.facebook.com/iicla
www.twitter.com/iiclosangeles

Filippo Berio
For 150 years, the company Filippo Berio has honored their founder’s passion, artistry and commitment to excellence. Today the SALOV Group produces their oils. The historical oil company for over 90 years has followed the traditions of Filippo Berio and continues to apply his rigorous standards.
www.filippoberio.com

LA Food Bowl
The highly awaited first edition of the largest culinary festival in Southern California organized by the Los Angeles Times and created by Jonathan Gold, the esteemed food critic, journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, promotes the dynamic and influential gastronomic scene in Los Angeles, highlighting the important themes of reducing food waste and eliminating hunger. Hundreds of events organized throughout the city will display the gastronomic vitality and variety, including several special events staring Italy’s representative, Chef Massimo Bottura.
www.lafoodbowl.com

C-CAP
C-CAP a national non-profit that transforms the lives of disadvantaged youth through the culinary arts and prepares them for college and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry”;

Filippo Berio has been a supporter of C-CAP since its inception in 1990.