'Le Strade della Mozzarella' - A Taste of Italy in Paris

For the first time, Le Grand Tasting wine festival, which takes place annually at the Carrousel du Louvre, will open its doors to authentic buffalo mozzarella Campana Dop and the perfect homemade Neapolitan pizza. These two specialties from Italy's Campania region will be the stars of Le Strade Della Mozzarella, a haute cuisine congress dedicated to mozzarella and the Mediterranean foods prepared with the cheese.

Created in Italy, this is the first time the festival takes the streets of Paris. Le Strade della Mozzarella, which translates to ''the many streets of mozzarella,'' will take place November 28-29. The event will feature mozzarella and pizza workshops, as well as a final grand tasting at the legendary La Famiglia pizzeria.

Lined with shops and restaurants, the Carrousel du Louvre will host two events dedicated to pizza and mozzarella at the Ateliers Gourmets. Champagne Ruinart and Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Villa Gemma Masciarelli are the two wines that will accompany the lesson of Francesco and Salvatore Salvo (Friday 28th at 15.00) and Franco Pepe (Saturday 29th at 11.00).

The grand finale, to be held just steps away from the Louvre, will be held at La Famiglia pizzeria, which is known for it's spectacular Italian-style pizza. The special dinner will kick off at 18.00 and will be a celebration of tradtional Italian products such as tomatoes from San Marzano and Piennolo del Vesuvio, Neapolitan piza and Gragnano pasta. These products express the unique terroir of Campania, a region that boasts five UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The grand tasting will feature the participationg of Enzo Coccia, Luciano Pignataro del Mattino, Franco Pepe, Francesco and Salvatore Salvo and Gennaro Nasti, the host. Alfonso Caputo, chef and owner of Taverna del Capitano in Nerano,  will present two dishes that simbolize Italian culture: Gragnano spaghetti served with tomatoes and prepared Nerano style.

Paris is just the first leg of the international Le Strade della Mozzarella. The congress will continue its international journey to London in February and Geneva in March. Afterwards, the festival heads back to its hometown of Paestum, Italy for the second edition to be held April 13-14, 2015.