Two Days of Sicilian Excellence in Berlin
March 17-18, 2024 – Berlin Hosts Strategic Events Highlighting Sicilian Agro-Food Excellence
Berlin became the stage for two strategic events promoting Italian agro-food products, with a particular focus on organic and IGP-certified items. Hosted at the Terra Verde restaurant chain—specifically at Rheinstrasse 18 and Grunewaldstrasse 78—the events attracted journalists, commercial operators, and professionals from Germany’s food and wine sector. This unique initiative provided an opportunity to discover and appreciate the Mediterranean’s finest specialties.
Prominent institutional figures were in attendance, including Deputy Orkan Odzemir, who emphasized the importance of Sicily’s presence in Berlin and expressed interest in fostering a stronger and more meaningful participation of Sicilian businesses in the gastronomic sector.
The events aimed primarily at promoting IGP, DOP, and organic products. Center stage were wines like IGP Terre Siciliane and DOC Sicilia, organic extra virgin olive oils, certified Sicilian meats, and high-quality fresh produce. Beyond showcasing these exceptional products, the initiative sought to create new opportunities for commercial collaboration with the German market, which has shown increasing interest in premium goods and Sicilian culinary traditions.
Guided Tastings and Refined Gastronomy
In a warm and welcoming atmosphere evocative of Sicily, attendees were treated to a unique food and wine experience. Each evening was structured as a sensory journey, featuring guided tastings led by producers and in-depth technical presentations on the showcased products.
A highlight of the events was the participation of Italian-Brazilian chef Thiago Valente, who delighted guests with sophisticated recipes featuring certified Sicilian meat and other promoted ingredients. His culinary creations, which showcased the unique qualities of these products, were met with great enthusiasm, underscoring the added value of Sicilian quality in cuisine.
Adding to the experience was the Eurosommelier German school, which expertly paired Sicilian wines with the dishes, enhancing their organoleptic characteristics and creating perfect pairings with native varieties such as Catarratto, Grillo, and Nero d’Avola. Among the participants, Dr. Sebastiano Di Bella, representing his namesake winery, played a key role in representing Sicilian enterprises.
Outcomes and Future Prospects
The events saw a high level of participation and strong interest from German operators. Notably, IGP Terre Siciliane wines, organic extra virgin olive oil, and certified Sicilian meat captured attention, generating numerous inquiries and paving the way for future commercial collaborations.
These gatherings were not just sensory experiences but also effective business platforms. Several participants expressed interest in organizing additional events and exploring distribution opportunities for Sicilian products in the German market.
Conclusion
The events in Berlin demonstrated the effectiveness of combining targeted tastings with B2B meetings for promoting agro-food excellence. The high level of organization, the quality of the products presented, and the involvement of experts like chef Thiago Valente and Eurosommelier sommeliers lent the events an exclusive and impactful character.
Sicily, with its outstanding products, found a receptive and engaged audience in Berlin, opening new pathways for fruitful collaboration between the two regions. Solid foundations for a successful commercial future were firmly established.
These events are part of a broader promotional program that will continue with tastings in dedicated stores.
Activities carried out under the Buy Sicily project, PSR 2014-2020.
