Grana Padano returns to Dubai with master pizza chef, Franco Pepe

Italian cheese Grana Padano all set to return to Dubai for ‘The Italian Cuisine World Summit’ from 7th – 17th November with Chef Franco Pepe –awarded the world’s best place pizza 

Dubai, UAE, November 6, 2016:  Grana Padano, the authentic Italian cheese, makes its way back to the Italian Cuisine World Summit in Dubai this year, showcasing its finest vintages. Moreover this time, Grana Padano ambassador, Chef Franco Pepe whose pizza has been voted the best in the world, will accompany the team.

American expert and Where to Eat Pizza compiler, Daniel Young dubbed Chef Pepe’s restaurant, Pepe in Grani the ‘best place to eat pizza in the world’ out of 1,705 pizzerias.  Located in the small town of Caiazzo, Campania in Italy, Pepe in Grani received the most nominations from the guide’s 1,077 contributors and Chef Pepe has endorsed Grana Padano as the cheese of choice. 

Chef Pepe’s understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship stem from his family of master bakers; thousands of times over, he has observed and learned from his grandfather and father. 

Grana Padano is one of 49 cheeses produced in Italy that falls under the Protected Designation Origin (P.D.O.).  The organisation promotes and protects cheeses originating from different geographic regions made in a typical and all nature process across Italy, under E.U. law.

President and Chairman of Grana Padano P.D.O. Cheese Protection Consortium, Nicola Baldrighi says, “Italian P.D.O. cheeses have a great history and are one-of-a-kind authentic Italian cheeses.  It is an excellent opportunity for Grana Padano to be back in Dubai this year for this event, and to be able to showcase our proud heritage and quality products.  We are also privileged to have Chef Franco Pepe, who is officially known to make the best pizza in the world, here with us as our ambassador”.

Baldrighi continues, “We see the import of Italian dairy products, specifically cheeses, into the UAE growing each year which is a clear indication of the need and want for our quality products in the country.  With the rapid and continued growth of the F&B industry and Italian restaurants, it provides a great opportunity for us.”

The UAE and GCC are vitally important export markets for Italian food and beverage producers.  The Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE says that Italy is the UAE's third-largest European trade partner, and Italian food exports to the UAE reached an all-time high in 2015.  Between 2005 and 2015, the total share of Italian food and drink imports to the UAE rose from 0.9% to 2.9%.  More than 400 Italian restaurants operate across the UAE. **

The 8th Annual Italian Cuisine World Summit takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 7th – 17th November.  The Grana Padana stand and Chef Pepe will be at the event from 7th – 9th November where visitors can taste the different Grana Padano cheese vintages and mingle with the word’s best pizza maker.