By Georgia Jackson, College of Arts and Sciences
The University of South Florida joined over 50 universities across the U.S. — and
more than 100 countries around the world — for the Week of Italian Cuisine in the
World on Nov. 20. The event attracted delegates from the Consulate General of Italy
in Miami to the Tampa campus for the first time.
“The event marked the beginning of a very fruitful collaboration between the Italian
consular authorities, the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian program at USF,”
said Patrizia La Trecchia, an associate professor of Italian in the Department of World Languages, who received an invitation to host the event from the director of the Italian Cultural
Institute in Miami. “We are honored to have been selected to host this global event
and excited to be a part of this prestigious international tradition.”
The event brought various engagement opportunities to USF and the Tampa Bay area.
USF students were invited to attend a masterclass in the professional-grade kitchen
located in the new Judy Genshaft Honors College, where Arcangelo Dandini, chef of the Roman restaurant L’Arcangelo, prepared samples
of traditional Roman dishes, including carbonara and amatriciana.
Amatriciana
La Trecchia — who teaches Food Culture in the Mediterranean, Italian Food Culture
& the Mediterranean Diet and Italian Food in Film, among other courses — translated
the demonstration and provided historical context.
“It was almost like a history lesson and a cooking demonstration wrapped into one,”
said Demetrios Papadatos, a political science major. “Being able to learn about various
Roman pasta dishes while watching them being professionally prepared left a lasting
impression.”
La Trecchia also accompanied delegates from the Consulate General of Italy in Miami
— including Vice Consul Giacomo Montrasio and Stafano Cerrato, director of the Italian
Institute of Culture — to Water Street, where they participated in a public talk and
reception, hosted by the Italian Institute of Culture in Miami.
Community attendance was overwhelming.
“I’m beyond grateful to the consular authorities, the Italian Cultural Institute and
the Italian Embassy for their support,” said La Trecchia, who is also the director
of the Environmental Humanities Initiative. “I look forward to next the edition at USF.”