One of Italys most popular rice dishes, the saffron-tinged risotto alla Milanese, provided the focus for this years International Day of Italian Cuisine.

The event, organized by the Gruppo Virtuale Cuochi Italiani (GVCI), a worldwide association of Italian chefs that aims to promote genuine Italian cuisine and defend it from the bad imitations that proliferate in the world as a well-known example is the US classic, known as spaghetti and meatballs, that Italians regard with horror!

The secret of the preparation of this deceptively simple dish, according to the chefs demonstrating their skills at the event, lies in using top quality ingredients, such as Vialone or Carnaroli rice, a homemade vegetable broth and saffron from L'Aquila in Abruzzo.

The starring turn in last years International Day of Italian Cuisine was a typical Roman pasta dish that has also made its mark in the world: Spaghetti alla Carbonara.