Taste of Italy

Category: Events

  • Standing room only for Texas BBQ and Italian wine, a new Houston tradition.

    Standing room only for Texas BBQ and Italian wine, a new Houston tradition.

    Above, from left: Celebrity pit master Ara Malekian, owner of Harlem Rd. Texas BBQ; Dale Robertson, wine writer for the Houston Chronicle; Tom Dobson, Italian buyer for Spec’s; and presenter Jeremy Parzen.

    One of the greatest things about Taste of Italy, the largest trade fair and festival in the U.S. devoted exclusively to Italian food and wine, is the gathering’s “Texas BBQ and Italian Wine” seminar.

    Each year we ask a top Houston pit master to join some of the city’s leading experts on Italian wine to talk about the art of pairing Italian wines with classic and creatively smoked meats.

    Celebrity pit master and owner of the popular Harlem Rd. Texas BBQ smoke house, Ara Malekian returned this year. He was joined by Dale Robertson, the long-time wine writer for the Houston Chronicle and an italophile wine lover, and Tom Dobson, who selects Italian wine for one of the largest wine retailers in the country, Spec’s. Food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen moderated the panel. Tom selected the wines.

    The most surprising wine in the lineup was the St. Michael-Eppan Pinot Grigio from South Tyrol (Alto Adige) in German-speaking Italy. Tasting the Barbaresco-marinade brisket (yes, marinated in Barbaresco!) and pork ribs paired with the white wine drew a number of ooos and aaas from the crowd.

    The Vite Colte Barbaresco was another show-stopper while the Cerrino Barbera d’Asti seemed to be one of everyone’s favorite wines in the flight for pairing with Texas smoked meats. See Dale’s write-up here.

    Now in its fourth year, the Texas BBQ and Italian Wine seminar has really become an institution to itself. There’s no doubt that it’s a great way to discover the incredible range of Italian wines, their food-friendliness, and their approachability.

    Special thanks to Chef Ara whose food always takes this tasting over the top!

  • Congratulations to the winners of the Houston Sommelier Competition 2023!

    Congratulations to the winners of the Houston Sommelier Competition 2023!

    Above, from left: Presenter Jeremy Parzen, sommelier Dario Najera, sommelier Jason Barnett, wine educator Walden Pemantle, Italian Consul General for Houston Mauro Lorenzini, and Kroger regional wine manager Jaime De Leon, founder of the Houston Sommelier Competition.

    Now in its third year, the Houston Sommelier Competition was created by Kroger regional wine buyer and sommelier Jaime De Leon to help promote wine education in the Houston wine professional community. Since its inception, it has expanded eligibility to include candidates from anywhere in the world who wish to compete.

    This year’s first prize went to Walden Pemantle with Jason Barnett and Dario Najera winning second and third place, respectively.

    Pemantle, who works as a sales manager for a Houston-based distributor and educator at the Texas Wine School, will be taking part in an all-expenses-paid trip to Abruzzo wine country later this year.

    Barnett (sommelier, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse) and Najera (sommelier, MAD Houston) received scholarship awards of $600 and $400, respectively.

    Congratulations to the winners and everyone who competed! And special thanks to Jaime De Leon, the founder and organizer, and Master Sommelier Nathan Prater, who oversaw the testing and service exam.

  • Thank you to everyone who made Taste of Italy 2023 such a memorable event!

    Thank you to everyone who made Taste of Italy 2023 such a memorable event!

    Taste of Italy 2023: Nearly 400 attendees, more than 70 brands, more than 250 wines and food products presented, 2 sold-out seminars… THANK YOU to everyone who made Taste of Italy 2023 our best event to date! And special thanks to the honorable Mariangela Zappia, Italy’s ambassador to the U.S., and Italy’s Houston Consul General Mauro Lorenzini for joining us on such a memorable occasion!

    That’s madame ambassador Zappia, below, with IACC director Alessia Paolicchi (center) and IACC deputy director Maurizio Gamberucci (left).

    Congratulations also to the winners of the Houston Sommelier Competition!

    Click here to see the Taste of Italy 2023 Facebook album.

  • Calabria, Land of the Mediterranean Diet, seminar and tasting, Monday 3/6.

    Calabria, Land of the Mediterranean Diet, seminar and tasting, Monday 3/6.

    Calabria: Land of the Mediterranean Diet
    with Giovanni Guido, general manager, Mercato delle Eccellenze di Calabria
    and Luciano Salvadore, executive chef, Il Calabrese (Southlake, Texas)
    moderated by food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen

    Monday, March 6, 2023
    Omni Hotel Houston
    11:30 a.m.

    Click HERE to register.

    Since the 1950s, doctors and nutritionists have been fascinated by the “Mediterranean Diet.” In the years immediately following the Second World War, scientists had begun to recognize that residents in certain geographic areas suffered fewer heart attacks than their peers in other places. They quickly realized that local diets were a main factor in this trend. Not only did residents in certain areas experience fewer cases of heart disease. An unusually high number of them lived to advanced old age — including many centenarians.

    Calabria was one of those unusual geographic areas where people were living longer and suffering from fewer long-term illnesses.

    In the second half of the 1950s, scientists like the legendary researcher Ancel Keys began to visit Calabria in their efforts to better understand the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.

    In more recent years, Calabria has become a popular destination for food and wine celebrities like Lidia Bastianich, the celebrated television personality and cookbook author, and her son Joe, the pioneering restaurateur and wine expert turned pop culture icon.

    That’s Lidia, above, with Giovanni Guido general manager of the Mercato delle Eccellenze di Calabria (Excellence of Calabria Market) during her visit last year with Joe.

    On Monday, March 6, on the occasion of the Taste of Italy trade fair and festival, Giovanni will be joined by Luciano Salvadore (executive chef, Il Calabrese, Southlake, Texas) in a discussion of Calabrian gastronomy and the Mediterranean Diet. Food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen will moderate the panel.

    Attendees will have the opportunity to taste a wide variety of Calabrian food products, including extra-virgin olive oils, cheeses, wine, and pastries.

     

  • Italian Wine-Texas BBQ SEMINAR

    Italian Wine-Texas BBQ SEMINAR

    Ever since the first Italian Wine-Texas BBQ seminar and tasting in 2018, the event has become one of Taste of Italy’s most popular each year.

    This year, celebrity pit master Ara Malekian (Chopped, Top Chef), owner of Harlem Rd. Texas BBQ, returns to Taste of Italy on Monday, March 6, 2023, to present a flight of his smoked meats paired with a flight of Italian wines selected especially by Italian wine expert and Spec’s Italian wine buyer Tom Dobson.

    As in years past, Italian-focused wine writer and educator Jeremy Parzen will moderate the panel discussion.

    CLICK HERE to register. The seminar will be held at the Omni Houston Hotel (Google map). Click here for Taste of Italy Grand Tasting registration.

    The Seminar will feature top Italian wines available at Spec’s, including the following:

    • St.Michael Eppan – Pinot Grigio FallWind
    • Tiberio – Cerasuolo
    • Vite Colte – Barbaresco
    • Cerrino – Barbera
    • Beconcini – Tempranillo
    • Cantina Tre Secoli – Passione

    This event WILL sell out! Please do not hesitate to reserve your spot now.

    Image via the Harlem Rd. Texas BBQ Facebook.

  • Taste of Italy Houston™ and Vancouver dates announced!

    Taste of Italy Houston™ and Vancouver dates announced!

    The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South Central and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West are thrilled to announce that Taste of Italy, the largest trade fair in the U.S. devoted exclusively to Italian food and wine, will be presenting the first-ever Taste of Italy Vancouver on March 2-3, 2023.

    It will be followed by Taste of Italy Houston on March 5-6.

    On the heels of the success of Taste of Italy Houston™ (now in its 9th year) and Taste of Italy Dallas (which took place for the first time earlier this year), the IACC has decided to expand the event to include the largest city in British Columbia and the third-largest metropolitan area in Canada.

    To receive more details, including exhibitor info, please contact:

    Do you want to attend the event as a buyer? click HERE to register.

    Taste of italy Houston™ will take place at the OMNI Hotel Houston (4 Riverway, Houston, TX 77056). Click HERE to reserve your room at the dicounted rate!

  • Wine tastings Nov. 29-30 in Houston: Taste Sicily, Abruzzo, and Calabria with wine writer Jeremy Parzen.

    Wine tastings Nov. 29-30 in Houston: Taste Sicily, Abruzzo, and Calabria with wine writer Jeremy Parzen.

    On Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29-30 in Houston, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South Central is proud to present two wine tastings featuring three top Italian producers: Cantine Bruni (Calabria), Isula di Pantelleria, and Tenuta San Giaime (Sicily), and Citra (Abruzzo).

    The seminars will take place at Vinology on Tuesday, November 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and Caracol on Wednesday, November 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

    Both seminars will be led by Houston-based wine writer and educator Jeremy Parzen, a leading Italian wine expert.

    The events are open to qualified trade and food and wine-focused media members. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come-first-served basis.

    Click here to sign up for the Tuesday, November 29 event at Vinology.

    Click here to sign up for the Wednesday, November 30 event at Caracol.

  • Taste of Italy DALLAS October 27. Register by August 30.

    Taste of Italy DALLAS October 27. Register by August 30.

    The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South Central is pleased to announce the first-ever Taste of Italy Dallas!

    Taste of Italy Houston, now in its ninth year, is the largest trade show devoted exclusively to Italian food and wine in the U.S. We are thrilled to be taking the show on the road to Dallas.

    Taste of Italy Dallas

    When: October 27, 2022, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    Where: Eataly Dallas at North Park Center
    8687 N. Central Expressway, Suite 2172
    Dallas TX 75225

    RESERVE YOUR DESK THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2022.

    The first-ever Taste of Italy Dallas, a food and wine trade show devoted exclusively to Italian products in the U.S.

    Meet importers, distributors, restaurateurs, chefs, sommeliers, buyers, and specialized media. If you are a Buyer, click HERE to register! (NO DEADLINE for registration.)

    Eataly will select wines to be purchased and showcased during a special event scheduled for the following day, “All You Can Eataly,” October 28, 2022.

    For more info, please contact us at [email protected].

  • IACC at the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth: American painters in Venice and Prosecco.

    IACC at the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth: American painters in Venice and Prosecco.

    On Thursday, July 14, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South Central was at the wonderful Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Ft. Worth.

    The occasion was the “Second Thursday” of the month event where more than 200 art lovers gathered to view the touring exhibition “Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano.”

    Guests were also there to hear a lecture by Alex Mann, who originally curated the show for the Smithsonian, and to taste some Prosecco with the chamber’s in-house wine expert, food and wine historian Jeremy Parzen.

    As the guests enjoyed two types of Prosecco — a zero-sugar added Prosecco and Prosecco Rosé by the Peninsola winery in Italy — they also sampled authentic Prosciutto di Parma.

    The event was made possible thanks to support from the Italian consulate and the Consul General Federico Ciattaglia.

    We highly recommend that you visit the exhibition, running through September. And we would like to share our heartfelt thanks with the museum for making us part of this spectacular event.

    The IACC’s participation has been sponsored by the Italian government’s ongoing Extraordinary Italian Taste campaign, which promotes authentic Italian wines, foods, and foodways.

  • IACC members at the Texas Restaurant Show. Thanks and congrats to the Texas Restaurant Associaton!

    IACC members at the Texas Restaurant Show. Thanks and congrats to the Texas Restaurant Associaton!

    The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce South Central would like to share its heartfelt thanks and warm congratulations to the Texas Restaurant Association for having hosted a phenomenal Texas Restaurant Show (formerly the TRA Marketplace) in Dallas this week at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

    More than 5,000 restaurateurs and industry experts were in attendance. And the standing-room-only seminars covered topics ranging from workforce solutions to ghost kitchens, growing through capital investment, diversity, inclusion, and bias training.

    The IACC was proud to be there representing our many food industry members.

    About the organizer, the Texas Restaurant Association:

    Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state’s $70 billion restaurant industry, which comprises approximately 50,000 locations and a workforce of 1.3 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 85th anniversary year. For more information, please visit www.txrestaurant.org.

    The IACC’s participation has been sponsored by the Italian government’s ongoing Extraordinary Italian Taste campaign, which promotes authentic Italian wines, foods, and foodways.