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and tricolour wine, basic ingredients
and catering elements used by every
kitchen brigade. Through their
partners in Italy, companies have a
way to import the best food and wine
at competitive prices. The Quality
Food Groupage has many players and
is based on the experience of expert
chefs and top experts on the approach
of import and export of foodstuffs.
The British market is an excellent
driver and business card to then work,
exporting food products destined to
the catering sector throughout Europe.
At the same time, Italy and Great
Britain continue to flirt. In a special
episode of “4 Restaurants”, aired on
Sky Uno, chef Alessandro Borghese
made an exception to the rule and
slipped into a poker of London
kitchens specialising in Italian dishes.
The winner was Roberto Costa of Il
Macellaio RC, an activity opened in
2012 which recalls real theatre, not
only for the staging, but especially
because every night Costa gives a
show. The concept of originality of
the new Italy that never detaches itself
from tradition, undoubtedly marks
the step and distances itself from the
chequered tablecloths and the straw
flasks of Chianti that constantly paint
the classic Italian picture. Tourists as
well as Londoners are increasingly
appreciating the quality of food by
leaving out clichés that now belong
to us less and less. Italians do it
better, this is testified by the fact that
a personality like Jamie Oliver has
closed six of his “Italian restaurants”
now on the brink of financial abyss:
120 professionals without work and
locations closed from Aberdeen
to Cheltenham, from Richmond to
Tunbridge Wells. Despite the fact that
Brexit has made Italian exports to
the UK collapse recently, with a total
drop of 12% in 2016 that hit all sectors,
and while Coldiretti examines the
devaluation of the pound, there are
elements that buck the trend. Made In
Italy cheeses, for example, have not
experienced any crisis, in fact, they
continue strongly with Parmigiano
Reggiano and Grana Padano holding
the lead.
Britain is the fourth largest export
market for Italy and one of those
that in recent years has given greater
satisfaction and 10.1% comes from
food and drinks. The food and drink
industry, along with textiles, seems
to be the least at risk. Statistically, the
demand for Italian food and textiles
has in fact never stopped even in the
years of acute crisis; This analysis on
historical data induced analysts to
think that the Brexit effects on these
areas would be only marginal. So we
consulted Giorgio Frigo, who outlined
the position of CIC Cooperativa
Italiana Catering on this.
Are you present in the UK market
with your exports?
No, we’re not because we don’t have
a partner in the UK. But we are very
attentive to all foreign markets. It
takes the right company, which has
the right characteristics, to be present
in a country.
Could the USA be a useful link to
disembark beyond the Channel?
The Qualitaly brand is also registered
in the United States: commercially, as
a bridgehead, they are two completely
different markets.
Are there any special requests for
orders from abroad?
We do not deal directly with
customers but with companies. We
know very well that abroad often
rides the wave: that’s the way fashion
is followed abroad.
What is the product you sell most?
There is a line of products, such as
the Linea Rossa or the strong flours,
which give great satisfaction. The
products that mainly sell abroad are
however those that sell even in Italy.
“Italianity” is our strongpoint.
What is your response to
counterfeit Italian products?
Counterfeiting is worth 50% of our
export. Something should be done
immediately.
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BOX
THE EXCELLENCE OF REAL
ITALIAN WINE
Now in its sixth edition, Real Italian
Wine is the oenological and agri-
food event entirely dedicated to
promotion in the United Kingdom.
The next edition will be held once
again at the prestigious Church House
Conference Centre, located in the
heart of London, just a short walk
from Westminster. With Real Italian
Wine & Food, today Italy also has
an event in London dedicated to the
professionals who offer an excellent
choice of wines already distributed
even without a distribution network
in the UK. The event is invited
exclusively to sector operators such
as agents, distributors, restaurant
buyers, wine shops, delicatessen,
online sales, sommeliers of high-level
restaurants, critics and journalists of
industry magazines and chefs.
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BOX
THE COMMENDATIONS OF THE
PAPA AWARDS
The Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food
Association is at 18c Moor Street,
in Chepstow, Wales, and every
year organizes the PAPA Awards,
gathering the best companies from
all over the country who have close
economic relations with Italy and its
“Food & Drink”. Applications must be
received by the association no later
than the first day of September.
______________________________
BOX
THE ATTRACTIONS OF
BELLAVITA EXPO
Bellavita Expo – London 2017 is the
largest food and drink fair in the UK
and will be held from 18th to 20th
June. The event lasts three days and
offers a dynamic and entertaining
opportunity to discover the future
of Italian cuisine, the drink and
wine trends, and the innovations of
each product. Attracting thousands
of buyers, chefs, sommeliers and
hoteliers, Bellavita Expo offers a
showcase for hundreds of artisan
producers from all regions of Italy.
THE TRADITION OF WELCOME
ITALIA
In London from 13th to 15th October
an event will be held, organized by
the Italian Chamber of Commerce for
the United Kingdom. Welcome Italia
is an engagement dedicated to all
MAGAZINE
Roberto Costa