In the Chamber of Palazzo Madama, the bill establishing the "Master of the art of Italian cuisine" award was approved with 78 yes, 4 no and only one abstention. The measure, which had already received the green light from the Chamber in January, thus becomes definitive.
The measure, which has the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida as its first signatory, aims to enhance the excellence of Italian cuisine and promote biodiversity and the quality of local products. With this text, which will become law after its publication in the official gazette, an award for gastronomic excellence is established, defining the categories of merit, which are "ice cream, pastry making, cooking, viticulture, olive growing and dairy art" and all the necessary requirements for any candidature.
The selection to award the 'Master of the art of Italian cuisine' award will be made by a Committee appointed by the Prime Minister and the winners will be able to carry out roles as experts in the sector. The award will be given to "Italian citizens who have distinguished themselves in a commendable manner in the field of gastronomy and, with their work, have enhanced the prestige of Italian cuisine, illustrating the homeland and contributing to enhancing national excellence".
The prize consists of a bronze medal which presents, on the one hand, the emblem of the Italian Republic and, on the other, the various categories for which it was competed: Thus there will be the "Master of the art of Italian ice cream making" ; the "Master of the art of Italian pastry making"; the "Master of the art of Italian cuisine"; the "Master of Italian winemaking art"; the "Master of Italian olive growing art" and the "Master of dairy art Italian".
To pass the selection, the candidate must have completed a multi-year training course in the relevant sector: he must have gained at least 15 years of proven experience in the relevant sector; having maintained irreproachable civil and social conduct; have fulfilled tax and social security obligations. The applications will be submitted to the Minister of Agriculture also on the basis of reports received from trade associations and must be sent to the Presidency of the Council by 30 April of each year, with attachments the candidate's identity document, tax code, curriculum vitae and extract from the criminal record and certificate of pending charges. The law provides for an annual expense of 2,000 euros.