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.