Our Mission
GRI is dedicated to popularizing authentic Italian cuisine and enhancing its image in the United States through education, member restaurants and promotions. GRI strives to provide a constant flow of information about Italian cuisine to member restaurants, US press, culinary schools, importers, distributors and general consumers with a serious interest in authentic Italian food.
History
Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani is a not-for-profit association founded in 1979 to increase the awareness of fine, authentic Italian cuisine and to promote its image through member restaurants, culinary scholarships, fundraising events and news media. Initially founded by a small group of influential Italian restaurateurs, GRI has grown into one of the food industry's most respected associations as a leader in codifying, clarifying and elevating the perception of Italian food and wine throughout the hospitality industry.
Accomplishments
Over the years GRI has achieved several milestones, most notably:
- Sponsoring the Italian curriculum at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY prior to this, the curriculum was only French and American.
- Creating of the De Medici restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America.
- Sponsoring and promoting the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF) in Turin , Italy, which provides advanced courses in Italy for graduates from numerous culinary schools in North America.
- Founding the GRI/Giacomo Bologna Scholarship that provides deserving culinary students advanced study in Italy each year.
- Organizing an annual trip to a different region of Italy to educate GRI members and press about different Italian regional cuisine, products and culture.
- Point of reference for educational institutions and journalists both in the US and Italy for information on Italian cuisine, restaurants and trends in the US.
- Testifying before Congress on behalf of Italian pasta producers to combat proposed excessive surcharges on pasta exported to the US.
- Spearheading the popularity of authentic Italian cuisine in American through education and promotion.
Organizational Structure
GRI is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors, which is drawn from its member restaurateurs. The officers of the association, elected bi-annually, consist of a Chairman, President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Member restaurants are selected owners of Italian restaurants across America who present an authentic Italian gastronomic experience and are committed to the GRI mission. Corporate members are made chefs, educational institutions, food & wine producers, importers and/or distributors and other trade consortia that are consistent with the GRI mission.