By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: Qatar will soon be on the list of countries with restaurants providing only authentic Italian gastronomic experience with the first batch of Italian restaurants to be awarded the prestigious ‘Ospitalita Italiana’ diploma in March.
Currently, there are 1,736 Italian restaurants around the world which have received this award as part of “Ospitalita’ Italiana Restaurants in the World” project launched by the Italian government in 2009.
“This project, which is being brought to Doha for the first time, is very important because it is not only about recognizing the Italian restaurants but it is about upgrading the standards of Italian hospitality,” said Chairperson of the Italian chamber of Commerce in Qatar Palma Libotte.
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Qatar with the support of the Italian Embassy was appointed by the Italian government to select the Italian restaurants in Qatar and evaluate them.
A panel will review all the data to finally choose those which meet the criteria to be given the certification.
Among the criteria are traditional ambience, original Italian ingredients and an experienced Italian chef.
“It’s a very detailed project. We have to look at, for example if the cutlery is made in Italy or if the kitchen is adequate to cook Italian dishes,” noted Libotte.
“More than 50 percent of the ingredients in the menu must be of Italian origin. An interesting feature is the olive oil has not only to be made in Italy but from 100 percent harvested Italian olives.”
Libotte said 12 Italian restaurants in Qatar have been shortlisted, and the results will be revealed likely in March.
The certified restaurant will receive a diploma and a plaque which will be displayed in front of the restaurant to tell customers the restaurant follows Italian quality. “Every year we will check to make sure that the standards are followed,” she added.
“This is not about the best restaurants but the restaurants that respect the original criteria of Italian hospitality and food,” said Libotte, adding the project was launched to protect the image of made in Italy abroad.
Italian Ambassador Guido De Sanctis said the project has proved to provide many benefits to the restaurants. “Almost 90 percent of the restaurants witnessed increase in sales after they got the certification. Two-thirds said they increased their reputation in the city where they are located,” noted Ambassador De Sanctis.
The Peninsula
