Ciao to the AWARDS
Glasgow is gearing up for a big event next month to celebrate Italian food and drink
IT’S only been running for four years but The Scottish Italian Awards are gearing up for their biggest year yet, illustrating that for many they are now a major event on the Scottish social calendar.
This lively and highly entertaining evening showcases the absolute best of the long-standing Scottish Italian collaboration which results in a special merging of cultures which has made Italian food a stalwart on so many Scottish menus.
In some families the connection stretches back to the beginning of the 20th century when the Italian food industry started to make its mark by serving the fledgling immigrant Italian community in Scotland. However, it took very little time before these Italian delights were swiftly and enthusiastically welcomed by the Scots, with their own love of delicious food and sweet treats. Ice cream and chip shops were the first taste of this new cuisine for many, making such an impact that as Italian cafes, restaurants, delicatessens, wine merchants and specialist food shops continued to open across the country the Scots in turn embraced them with open arms. This passion for all things Italian has developed into a long lasting love affair with pizza and pasta and a reputation for superb ice cream.
CULTURAL CLASSICS
Italian food and drink has now become a staple, with classic macaroni cheese being as popular as mince and tatties with most people. Sometimes it’s simply so much a part of the culture now that it’s almost impossible to identify where Italian ends and Scottish begins, and vice versa.
Two passionate, enthusiastic cultures have merged so beautifully that the share equal pride in their beginnings while the desire to get the food absolutely perfect is also reflected in the awards’ night itself, with natural competitiveness and the desire to outdo everyone else playing an unashamed part in proceedings.
The buildup starts when customers nominate their favourites, and nerves started to show at the thought of the live cook off on October 31. Finalists in Best Pasta, Best Pizza and Scottish Italian Chef of the Year will have to wow an expert panel, headed up by celebrity chef Aldo Zilli.
The final evening on November 13 promises an atmosphere unique to the Italian Scottish Awards, with camaraderie, celebration, fun, fabulous food and drink, entertainment, huge enthusiasm in supporting the chosen charity, ENABLE Scotland, prizes – and of course – competition.
So many of those involved describe it as being like a great family get together but also as something everyone wants to win.
All finalists will now be judged by the awards’ independent panel of judges, who will be touring the country to assess all venues ahead of the glitzy gala final in Glasgow on Sunday November 13.