Eight Perth restaurants awarded
The Italian Government has awarded its official quality seal, Ospitalità Italiana, to eight Perth restaurants: Maurizio Restaurant and Millioncino in Perth; Galileo Buona Cucina in Shenton Park; Gargano and Osteria dei Sapori in Nedlands; and Julio’s, Perugino and Villa D’Este' in West Perth.
In order to obtain the Ospitalità Italiana, restaurants must meet a range of criteria including the presence of Italian speaking staff, at least half of the menu must consist of traditional Italian dishes with the names written in correct Italian, and the restaurant must use products of Italian origin.
An emphasis is also placed on using Italian ingredients that carry the Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) seal. This is a legal protection provided by the European Union to foods whose peculiar characteristics depend primarily or exclusively on the territory in which they are produced.
Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Perth Secretary General, Marco Mari, was pleased that eight Perth restaurants were recognised with the Ospitalità Italiana honour. He said it was fantastic to see restaurants that place importance on Italian cuisine and tradition recognised by the Italian Government.
“The Italian Government recognises that Italian restaurants around the world are ambassadors to the Italian culture,” said Mr Mari.
“By having the Ospitalità Italiana seal on display, customers know that they will receive a quality Italian culinary experience.”
On Monday 19 September, the eight Perth restaurants were presented with their Ospitalità Italiana Certificate and brass plate by President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Mr Massimo Perotti, at Burswood Entertainment Complex’s newest Italian restaurant, Modo Mio. Those at the event were treated to a four course meal created by renowned Italian chef, Gianpaolo Maffini.
These Perth establishments join a host of other restaurants around Australia that have received the Ospitalità Italiana. There is now a total of 34 Australian restaurants that have been recognised by the Italian Government – 14 of which are in Sydney, five in Melbourne, four in Brisbane and three in Adelaide.
Applications for consideration in the 2012 round of the Ospitalita Italiana are now being accepted. Restaurateurs that believe they qualify for this quality seal can submit their entries by contacting the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in their state by 31 December 2011.
