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BARILLA LAUNCHES “ACADEMIA BARILLA” FOR PROFESSIONAL CHEFS,
FINE RESTAURANTS AND GOURMET CONSUMERS
New Line of Premium Italian Food Products Exemplifies the Best in Authentic Italian Cuisine
Bannockburn, IL, September 2002 – Barilla, the world’s leading pasta brand, has launched a new business division within its Global Group — “Academia Barilla.” Targeted toward professional chefs and upscale restaurateurs, the division was created to promote authentic, fine Italian dining around the world.
The centerpiece of the launch is a new line of premium food products that includes Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses, Prosciutto di Parma, balsamic vinegars, extra virgin olive oils and peeled tomatoes.
After almost three years of intense research and analysis, Barilla launched its Academia Barilla brand in eight Italian cities, as well as Chicago, New York and Boston. Next year, the rollout will expand to additional Italian and American cities, as well as the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia. Academia Barilla products are available only to restaurants and select gourmet food stores.
“The mission of our division is to establish Barilla as the leading culinary authority for authentic Italian food products among discerning chefs and upscale restaurateurs,” said Gianluigi Zenti, Executive Director of Academia Barilla. “Our new division views the chef as an artist and strives to provide only the best ingredients to enhance the creation of masterpieces.”
“Barilla has a 125-year history of product innovation,” added Kim Sayid, U.S. manager of Barilla Professional. “This expansion of our product offering marks a new focus area for the company, one where our research has shown there is interest and a need.” Sayid has been with Barilla America for seven years, most recently as food service manager.
About Barilla
Barilla has been producing pasta since 1877 and is the largest manufacturer of dried pasta in the world, available in more than 100 countries. In Italy, Barilla has a 35 percent market share, outselling the next competitor seven times. Barilla is also the leading brand of pasta in the United States, with just over 15% of the market.
Barilla is the largest Italian food company in Italy, led for 125 years by the entrepreneurial spirit of the Barilla family. Privately owned, the company is now in its fourth generation of Barilla family management, headed by brothers Guido, Paolo and Luca. Barilla operates more than 25 plants globally, producing close to nine million pounds of pasta daily. In addition to pasta, Barilla also globally operates brands in the pasta sauce and bakery categories. For more information, please see www.barilla.com.
BARILLA INTRODUCES ITS ACADEMIA BARILLA LINE OF PREMIUM ITALIAN FOOD PRODUCTS FOR FINE RESTAURANTS, FOOD SERVICE COMPANIES AND GOURMET CONSUMERS
BANNOCKBURN, IL — Barilla, the world’s leading pasta brand, has introduced a new line of premium Italian food products developed by top chefs for fine restaurants, food service companies and gourmet consumers.
Known for its quality pasta products and authentic Italian heritage that dates back more than 125 years, Barilla continues to expand its reach to restaurants and food service companies around the world. Last year Barilla, created a line of premium food product, unsurpassed in quality, to promote authentic, fine Italian dining, “Academia Barilla,” The line includes Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, four agings of balsamic vinegar, and eight premium extra-virgin olive oils.
Academia Barilla products were carefully selected in Italy over two and a half years of intense research and analysis by a panel of top Italian chefs. Products are limited production and consortium (D.O.P.) certified, offering the restaurant market exclusive access to premium products. While the initial launch targeted only a few cities in Italy and the U.S., additional rollouts are scheduled this year within those countries, as well as the U.K., Japan and Australia.
About Barilla
Since 1877, the Barilla company has been producing pasta and other grain-based foods for consumers around the world. The company’s basic animating principle has been to make these healthy products affordable to all, no matter where they might be. Barilla has remained true to its entrepreneurial roots over the past four generations, by combining ancient Italian traditions with cutting-edge technological advances. The result is a globally successful company, built on a foundation of principles that allow for continuous growth to reach ever-expanding goals.
The Barilla Group – whose brands include Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Pavesi, Voiello, Wasa, Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), and Yemina and Vesta (Mexico) – is the first Italian food group, headed by the Barilla family for 125 years. The Group has 25 factories (18 in Italy and 7 abroad). It is a worldwide leader in pasta and currently realizes 31% of sales in volume in more than 100 countries.
