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Joanne Tehrani, (212) 642-7771, joanne.tehrani@edelman.com
BARILLA INTRODUCES ITS ACADEMIA LINE OF PREMIUM FOOD PRODUCTS AND CELEBRATES ITALIAN FOOD IN CULTURE AS A SPONSOR OF FOOD & WINE’S CLASSIC AT ASPEN
Barilla Chefs to Showcase Academia Barilla and Feature Italian Recipes Inspired by Favorite Works of Film, Literature and Art
BANNOCKBURN, IL, MAY 2003 — Barilla, the world’s leading pasta brand, will be a presenting sponsor of this year’s Food & Wine Classic at Aspen (June 13-15, 2003), where it will showcase its Academia Barilla products, a line of premium professional food products, celebrate Italian food in culture, and co-sponsor the Culinary Institute of America’s “Best New Student Chefs” award reception.
Introducing Academia Barilla for Discerning Chefs and Restaurants
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.
Attendees at Food & Wine’s Classic at Aspen are invited to stop by Barilla’s table, located in the Grand Tasting Pavilion, to meet Barilla chefs Roberto Bassi and Nicola Bindini and sample original recipes created with Academia Barilla products. Expanded Academia tastings will be available during the private media and trade sessions in the Grand Tasting Pavilion on Friday and Saturday from 10:45–11:30 AM.
Barilla Celebrates Italian Food in Film, Literature and Art
In addition to featuring the new Academia line, Barilla will also showcase its consumer pasta and sauce products and celebrate the role that Italian food plays in culture — specifically in film, literature and art. Attendees are invited to come by Barilla’s table to sample Italian food inspired by the film Big Night (June 13th), the novel Under the Tuscan Sun (June 14th) and the Giuseppe Arcimboldo painting Vertumnus (June 15th). Barilla chefs Roberto Bassi and Nicola Bindini will be on hand preparing the recipes and discussing Barilla’s consumer and professional products.
Barilla to Co-Sponsor the CIA’s “Best New Student Chefs” Award Reception
On the evening of Friday, June 13, 2003, Barilla will co-sponsor the Culinary Institute of America’s “Best New Student Chefs” award reception at the Hotel Jerome. Internationally acclaimed chef Jacques Pepin and Food & Wine’s Editor-in-Chief, Dana Cowin, will be presenting the awards to ten outstanding student chefs.
“For more than 125 years, Barilla has been committed to providing food products made in the finest, authentic Italian tradition, so we are proud to be part of an event that represents some of the world’s best culinary offerings,” said Paul Davis, President of Barilla America. “We are also excited to showcase Academia Barilla, our new line of premium professional food products, along side some of the best new chefs who are making a name for themselves in the world of fine dining.”
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.
