The world-renowned Washington, DC-based chef accepted the Premio Mondi Lucani, for his philanthropic efforts in his home region of Basilicata, Italy last month.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- September is Intergenerational Month, a time which promotes intentionally connecting generations and staging intergenerational events. The mission of the award-winning chef's Italian-based volunteer organization, Luigi Diotaiuti ODV, is to preserve agricultural and lifestyle traditions from his native Italy for future generations everywhere to not only enjoy, but to earn a living from as well.
The "Premio Mondi Lucani 2022" award was awarded to organizations who offered stages, workshops, events, as well as employment and educational opportunities for young people in Diotaiuti's home region of Basilicata, which currently suffers from a lack of job opportunities for its youth. The region now awards celebrities who were born there and have given back to the community while achieving excellence in the fields of economy, business, the arts and innovation. In addition to honoring those who have made significant achievements, it specifically selects Basilicata natives who have given back to their birthplace by helping the younger generation.
The Luigi Diotaiuti ODV volunteer organization helps to promote tourism, employment, and traditions on the brink of extinction. Two of its most prominent projects to date are the annual Transumanza and Pasta Lab events. Each June, Chef Luigi travels back to Basilicata to take part in a 3,000 year-old tradition called la transumanza ("crossing the land") which refers to the process of moving cattle from the lowlands to their summer pastures in the mountains, and then back again. He is honored to have so many residents and community leaders take part in this time-honored ritual and that his volunteer organization is an official sponsor. Luigi Diotaiuti ODV also organizes an annual "Pasta Lab" to help preserve the region's distinctive, nutritious, and sustainable pasta-making customs.
The world shortage on grain however, is severely challenging the global food supply. For this reason, the Luigi Diotaiuti ODV will hold its first International Congress on Grain in conjunction with their annual Pasta Lab event on World Pasta Day this October 25 in Matera, Italy. The event, whose guest list includes world famous economists, Italian television celebrities, and European politicians will feature a productive scientific and political discussion on how climate change has penalized agricultural production, the health crisis caused by Covid-19 has hurt many global economies, how Russia's invasion on Ukraine has caused a surge in prices, and what to do about it.
This year's Pasta Lab event is themed "WITNESSING THE PASSAGE OF TRADITIONS" and features 5 hotel schools from Basilicata. Each institution will compete with 2 students from the 5th year who will create 1 pasta recipe with the expert pasta-makers. The jury will vote with the journalists and the winners will be announced during the gala. Each of the two winners will be awarded a trip to the US for a stage at Al Tiramisu with Chef Luigi Diotaiuti. Passing down traditions is more than a nostalgic gesture for the lauded restaurateur. "I don't want anyone to have to leave their homeland because it doesn't offer job opportunities," says Chef Luigi. "Emigrating should be a choice, not a necessity. If we offer revenue-generating employment models that also promote our traditions, then our past, present, and future generations all win" he continued. Even though Chef Luigi Diotaiuti is extremely honored to have been one of eight distinguished Premio Mondi Lucani 2022 award winners, hearing the success stories of the youth of his region is what inspires him the most.
About Luigi Diotaiuti
Award-winning Chef/Restaurateur Luigi Diotaiuti is the Founder of the Italian-based volunteer organization, Luigi Diotaiuti ODV. The Certified Italian Sommelier was dubbed "The Ambassador of Italian Cuisine" by the Federation of Italian Cooks in Florence, Italy in 2018. The owner of Washington DC's Al Tiramisu (named one of "the 50 Top Italian Restaurants in the World 2019" by http://www.50topItaly.it) has also been on Gambero Rosso's "Top Italian Restaurants" list since 2018. Born and educated in Basilicata, Italy, Chef Luigi trained at some of the world's most prestigious locations before opening Washington DC's "most authentic" Italian restaurant twenty-five years ago. His current culinary pursuits and consistent media presence in the United States and Italy enable him to enjoy notability and distinction in both countries.
For more information on Luigi Diotaiuti, please visit http://www.luigidiotaiuti.com or to schedule media interviews, presentations, or events with Luigi, please contact [email protected].
Media Contact
Anna Miraglia, Al Tiramisu Restaurant, 1 2023901737, [email protected]
SOURCE Al Tiramisu Restaurant
Share this article