CULTURE SHARE: ITALIAN TABLE TALKS ~ IRPINIA IS WAITING FOR YOU

CULTURE SHARE: ITALIAN TABLE TALKS ~ IRPINIA IS WAITING FOR YOU

with reception

Producers:

Gianfranco Sorrentino : managing partner of II Gattopardo Group, President of Groupo Italiano

Paula Bolla- Sorrentino: Managing Partner of II Gattopardo Group, Gruppo Italiano Creative Director and Producer

David Ernst: Gruppo Italiano Director of Operation and Producer

(Gruppo Italiano (GI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering genuine Italian products and the culinary culture through education; promoting a constant flow of information among member restaurants, producers, importers, and distributors of authentic Italian products, with the press, culinary schools, and the general public with a serious passion for authentic Italian food and wine. (Image Credits: Gruppo Italiano)

Host:

Gianfranco Sorrentino: Managing Partner of II Gattopardo Group President of Gruppo Italiano ~ originally from Naples, Italy, Mr. Sorrentino carries over 40 years of experience in restaurant management in Europe, Asian and the United States. President of Gruppo Italiano (GI), and managing partner of II Gattapardo Group in New York City - comprised of the fine dining Italian restaurants II Gattopardo, the Leopard at des Artists, Mozzarella & Vino, and II Gattopardo Catering.

Moderator:

Randall Restiano: American Sommelier and Beverage Director of Eataly NYC Flatiron ~ Randall Restiano has been in the restaurant and wine industry for over 20 years. He has served as the Wine Director of Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fair (3 Michelin Star), and Wine Director of Eli’s Table, where his beverage menu won the Wine Spectator 2-Glass “Best of Award of Excellence.’ Today, he is Wine Director at Eataly NYC Flatiron where he manages the beverage program for seven restaurants and the retail market. (Image Credits).

Speakers:

Antonio Laspina: Trade Commissioner; Executive Director for the USA, NY ~ A native to Sicily, Mr. Laspina graduated with honors in political science; earned a master’s degree in foreign trade and export management and postgraduate school in diplomatic affairs. In 1981 he joined the Italian Trade Agency working mainly in Asia, including Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei and became Director of the Beijing office and Coordinator of the ITA network in China for 12 years. In 2015, Mr. Laspina was appointed Director of Marketing in the Rome headquarters. November 2019, Mr. Laspina became Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the USA. (Image Credit: ITA).

Sabino Basso: President of Fondazione Sistema Irpinia, IT ~ Native of Avellino, Mr. Basso is the CEO of the historic Oleificio Fedele Basso e Figli, the CEO of the Villa Raiano Cellars, and was recently appointed the President of Fondazione Irpinia, where he oversees the relaunch and promotion of the Irpinia brand internationally. In addition, Mr. Basso serves on the Board of consorzio Tutela Vini D’Iroinia. In 2013, he was elected the President of Confindustria Campania where he served for several years. (Image Credits: Sabino Basso).

Panelists:

Charles Scicolone: Wine, Food, and Travel Consultant and Author, USA ~ For 10 years, Mr. Scicilone was the wine director for I Trulli Restaurant and Enoteca, which was nominated by the James Beard Awards for outstanding wine service and wine list for six years running. Mr. Scicolone writes a popular blog focused on Italian wines, and along with his wife, food and wine writer Michele Scicolone, is the author of Pizza - “Anyway You Slice It!” Mr. Scicolone is the former Wine Editor for the I-Italy website and magazine, and appeared often on I-Italy TV. (Image Credits: Wine 365).

Nunzio Castaldo: President at Panebianco Wines Import, USA ~ Nunzio Castaldo received his B.S. in Economics and Commerce from the University of Naples, IT, and has been a driving force for the growth of Italian wines in the US market for over 36 years. Nunzio began his career at Winebow, where he stayed for 31 years and became Senior Vice President. in 2015 Mr. Castaldo was honored by the Italian Trade Commission for his commitment to advancing the understanding, appreciation, and sales of Italian wines in the United States. in 2017 he acquired Panebianco Wines Import, a longstanding importer and distributor of fine Italian wines in the US market. (Image Credits: Panebianco Wine).

Ferrane Di Somma: Managing Owner of Cantine di Marzo, Irpinia Representing Consorzio Tutela d’Irpinia, IT ~ Native to Naples hailing from an ancient aristocratic family, he spent his childhood in London and Paris. In 1992 Mr. Di Somma moved to Moscow where he opened his own business in outdoor advertising. In 2003, he earned a Master’s degree in International Wine and Spirits Trade at the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Dijon de Burgundy. After graduating, Mr. Di Somma worked for seven years as wine agent specializing in the Russian market. In 2008 he acquired a large share of Cantine di Marzo from relatives, allowing him to make the necessary changes to bring the winery back to its past glory. (Image Credits: Luciano Pignataro ).

Berardo Paradiso: President of IACE, Italian American Committee on Education; Head of the New York SoHo Chapter of the Italian Academy of Cuisine ~ Mr. Paradiso is one of the most effective leaders in the Italian American Community, and has been the head of the New York SoHo chapter of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, the Italian Academy of Cuisine, for over 14 years. Born in Buonalbergo (BN) Italy, and graduated in mechanical engineering at the Polytechnic of Naples, Mr. Paradiso was Production Manager of Guex Switzerland, President of Philippe Guex Tooling and Fastening, and became a Vice President of Allied Specialty in New York until 1987. Mr. Paradiso is the founder and President of ITM, International Tool Mfg in Plainview, NY. (Image Credits: We the Italians ).

Photography of the Event by Mega

Some of Our Favorites:

Macchie Santa Maria ~ Cantine

Ponterotto

Villa Raiano: L’Irpinia e la nostra terra

Case d’Alto

Photography from the Event by Mega