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CHICAGO) -- Americans have long had a love affair with Italy and Italian cuisine. And eighteen Chicago-area restaurants soon will be honored with the ""Ospitalita Italiana Seal - Italian Retaurants in the World"" for their culinary contributions to Italian culture from a branch of the Italian government.
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Eighteen Chicago-area restaurants now will receive the ""Ospitalita Italiana Seal -- Italian Retaurants in the World,"" an honor recognizing their authenticity and culinary contributions to Italian culture, at a dinner event on Thursday, March 17--the day marking the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.
The Italian American Chamber of Commerce-Midwest (IACC) will award certificates to these 18 restaurants and their chefs at an evening event held at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, 1431 W. Taylor St., in Little Italy.
Just as events are being staged across the Italian peninsula to celebrate the Risorgimento (the movement that resulted in the establishment of the Italian nation), the IACC will celebrate both this historic day and the awarding of the Ospitalita Italiana seal during one of its regular Networking Events. With specifications determined by Italy's Istituto Nazionale Ricerche Turistiche (National Institute of Tourist Research), the seal was created in 1997 to develop a high quality of consumer service among restaurants, hotels and agriturismi, or ""holiday farmhouses,"" across Italy. In order for restaurants worldwide to earn this distinction--one that is voluntary and which requires that the restaurant apply--each had to meet 10 stringent criteria and submit proof of their authenticity.
Among the criteria: each restaurant selected must employ at least one staff member who can speak to guests in Italian; the menus must be written in proper Italian; at least 20 percent of wines offered must be DOP-certified (Denominazione di Origine Protetta, or ""Protected Denomination of Origin""); and the head chef must meet requirements of experience and proficiency in Italian cooking. Each restaurant also had to submit descriptions of at least five Italian-tradition recipes, including the Italian region that inspired the ingredients and dishes. The 18 Chicago-area restaurants that will be honored on March 17th are:
* Sergio's Cucina Italiana, 280 N. Rohlwing Rd., Itasca (Chef Sergio Abate)
""Our goal for this event is to celebrate the Italian nation's wonderful 150-year history, but also to celebrate some of Chicago's most outstanding Italian restaurants,"" said Fulvio Calcinardi, executive director of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce-Midwest. ""These restaurants take tremendous pride in the ingredients used in their dishes, the wine served--and in sharing authentic Italian culture. Our guests will get to enjoy all this, and more. ""
The ""Ospitalita Italiana Seal - Italian Restaurants in the World"" certification process is ongoing, with Italian restaurants around the world invited to apply or resubmit applications once they meet all 10 of ISNART's requirements. The 10 most recent restaurant additions to the list were just certified this month.
""For generations, Americans have had a love affair with Italy and with Italian cuisine,"" said Robert Allegrini, president of the IACC-Midwest. ""We are very proud to play a role in helping to identify some of Chicagoland's most authentic Italian restaurants. We are honored that the esteemed chefs from these restaurants will be preparing and serving some of their signature dishes at this 150th birthday event.""
""To taste our food is to taste our history,"" says Paula Waters, Chair of the Chicago Sister Cities International Milan Committee. ""All of the influences, invaders and blessings of nature that made up the Italian nation a mere 150 years ago are present in our cuisine.""
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