European Pork Excellence at the Italian Cultural Centre – Osteria al Centro
As part of the promotional programme “Eat & Think Pink Canada – Say yes to the Best, Eat European Pork!”, Eat & Think Pink Canada continued its training activities across Canada with a high-level masterclass in Vancouver, organised and coordinated by App Arquela Inc. in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Centre (ICC).
The event took place on July 25, 2025, at the Italian Cultural Centre – Osteria al Centro, a key reference point for Italian culture and gastronomy on the West Coast.
Objectives of the Training Activity
The Vancouver training course aimed to promote and enhance awareness of European pork, including fresh, chilled, frozen and processed products, with particular attention to:
- Traceability and food safety
- Sustainability
- European quality standards
- Professional culinary applications in the Canadian market
The initiative targeted both professionals and opinion leaders, strengthening the connection between European production values and the Canadian food scene.
A Multi-Chef Masterclass Experience
The masterclass featured three renowned chefs, each presenting a signature recipe centred on European pork:
- Giuseppe Cortinovis
- Daniele Navarria
- James Buchanan
The course welcomed 25 participants, including professional chefs, restaurateurs, culinary students, distributors, journalists and local food influencers.
An introductory presentation by App Arquela framed the European project and its core values, followed by live cooking demonstrations that encouraged active discussion and technical questions from the audience.
Menu Highlights
Each chef interpreted European pork through refined and contemporary recipes:
- Fried pizza with pulled pork, green apples and rosemary
- Low-temperature pork rib ravioli with Parmigiano fondue, veal jus and lemon gel
- Larded pork loin with wild chanterelle ragù, guanciale, pork jus and blackberry reduction
The menu demonstrated the versatility of European pork and its adaptability to modern Canadian restaurant concepts.
Engagement, Visibility and Market Development
The informal yet professional setting of Osteria al Centro fostered strong interaction among participants, with a shared table layout and video screens displaying the project presentation throughout the space.
The presence of media representatives, food bloggers and opinion leaders significantly amplified the communication impact of the event. Participants were encouraged to tag @etpcanada.eu in their online content, supporting digital visibility and content sharing.
Feedback from attendees confirmed a high level of appreciation and interest, positioning the Vancouver masterclass as a successful example of how training, promotion and commercial development can be combined within a single initiative.
A Format Designed to Grow
The Vancouver training course further reinforced Eat & Think Pink Canada’s strategy of engaging professionals through education and experience.
A proven and effective format, ready to be replicated in other international markets.
