Tony Loeb

🍕 Cristian Santomauro from Cilento won "The Best Pizza Identity" at The Best Pizza Awards 2024 in Milan's Spazio Antologico - East End Studios. At 33, he is the custodian of the pizza ammaccata tradition from his hometown of Piano Vetrale, with a population of 400. His pizzeria, L'Ammaccata - Antica Pizza Cilentana, promotes a diet reflecting local traditions with ancient grains, sourdough, and Cilento goat's cheese. Santomauro has been a pizzaiolo for 15 years, honoring his grandmother's legacy.

📈 Cattel SpA, celebrating its 100-year history, hosted "Gender Equality in Organizations, UNI/PDR 125:2022 – Certify to Grow" in collaboration with Noiwelfare Srl. The event, also available online, featured speakers Marco Pagan (Cattel HR Director), Enrico Morgante, Giulia Saccardo, Maela Coccato, Roberta Bassi, and Filippo Tanganelli. Italy ranks 79th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index. Gender equality in companies boosts performance by 17%, decision making by 20%, and teamwork quality by 30%. Certification UNI/PDR 125:2022, supported by law 162/2021, is attainable even by micro-enterprises with 1-9 employees, offering benefits like tax relief and enhanced reputation. Approximately 1000 companies are certified, ranging from large firms like Veritas and Amazon to SMEs.

🍷 In Toscana, 12 producers have collaborated to create an "Ethical Charter" for Tuscan vermouth, aiming for official recognition and protection of its designation. Announced days before the first Salone del Vermouth on October 5 at The Social Hub, the charter outlines five values, including using locally produced wines, exclusive production and bottling in Toscana, and adherence to traditional methods. The charter has gained support from national distributors such as Fine Spirit, Spirits e colori, and Velier.

🍰 Rocco Cannavino and Ernst Knam, both master pastry chefs, collaborated in Naples to create a dessert called “tiramibù foresta,” combining tiramisu with mascarpone and brioche with the Black Forest cake. The dessert features 100% arabica coffee, eggless mascarpone cream, a 62% chocolate ganache heart, and Maldon salt chocolate shavings. It will be available in Lab Stores in Naples and Pomigliano d’Arco from Monday, October 11.

📈 In 2023, Italian dietary supplement sector's turnover reached €4.5 billion with nearly 300,000 tons sold. Italy leads the European market with a 26% share, followed by Germany (19%) and France (15%). Pharmacies dominate sales (€3.5 billion, 78%), with 73% of Italian adults using supplements at least once last year. Italian exports in 2023 grew to €1.9 billion, with a positive trade balance of €894 million. A PwC study on Omega 3 suggests Europe could save €20 billion in healthcare costs.

🍰 Pasticceria Roberto, owned by Giovanni Cavalleri in Erbusco, received the Tre Tazzine and Tre Chicchi awards from the Gambero Rosso's Bar d'Italia Guide 2025. The ceremony was held in Milan's Teatro Manzoni on September 26. The pastry shop operates Tuesday to Sunday, 7:30-19:00, across a 3000 m² space featuring a laboratory, sales area, café, bistrot, dehors, and a garden. Giovanni's family; sister Fabrizia, wife Michela, and son Roberto, are integral to the business. Visit pasticceriaroberto.com for more information.