Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Italian Charity Cooking Contest

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DIPLOMAT MAGAZINE “For diplomats, by diplomats” Reaching out the world from the European Union First diplomatic publication based in The Netherlands Founded by members of the diplomatic corps on June 19th, 2013. Diplomat Magazine is inspiring diplomats, civil servants and academics to contribute to a free flow of ideas through an extremely rich diplomatic life, full of exclusive events and cultural exchanges, as well as by exposing profound ideas and political debates in our printed and online editions.

In the picture H.E Mrs. Brândusa Predescu, the Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Mr. András Kocsis, the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Mr. Jens-Otto Horslund, the Ambassador of Denmark, H.E. Mr. Nicolas Plexidas, the Ambassador of Greece, the co-host H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini and H.E. Mr. Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, the Ambassador of Switzerland.

Text and pictures by Naldo Peverelli.

He has only been ambassador to the Netherlands for Greece for two weeks, nevertheless, H.E. Mr. Nicolas Plexidas attended the Italian Charity Cooking Contest at the European Space Agency (ESA-ESTEC) in Noordwijk as one of his first official activities in the Netherlands.

At the event which was hosted by Mr. Franco Ongaro, Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality at ESA-ESTEC and the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini, during the Italian Gastronomy Week, H.E. Ambassador Plexidas won the first prize for his extraordinary moussaka!

H.E. Mr. Nicolas Plexidas, Ambassador of Greece.

He prepared his dish in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere with his cooking colleagues, H.E. Mr. András Kocsis, the Ambassador of Hungary, together with H.E. Mr. Jens-Otto Horslund, the Ambassador of Denmark,  H.E. Mrs. Brândusa Predescu, the Ambassador of Romania, H.E. Mr. Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, the Ambassador of Switzerland as well as with the co-host H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini.

The Ambassadors contestants at work. ESA ESTEC Italian Charity Cooking Contest.

Dressed for the occasion they were judged by the Chairman of the Jury Mr. Rajiv Mehra, the famous Dutch (Michelin star), Chef Marcel van Lier, from the Netherlands, cooking teacher Gisella Vandoni, from Italy,  culinary journalist Marina Vizzinisi, Telegraaf chief editor, Willem Kool, from the Netherlands and of course Mr. Franco Ongaro, from Italy.

H.E. Mr. Jens-Otto Horslund, the Ambassador of Denmark at the kitchen.

The Ambassador Mr. Perugini asked a number of his colleagues to participate in the gastronomy contest, however, only the bravest dared to actively take part, and enter the beautiful kitchen of ESA with ingredients specifically picked for the preparation of their dishes.

Ambassador Predescu with Chairman of the Jury Mr. Rajiv Mehra.

All of the guests present at the evening event enjoyed the courses, which they could see being prepared in the kitchen via a closed loop video system on several TV screens placed in the restaurant!

The Ambassador of Denmark explaining his dish to the grand culinary jury.

After finishing their dishes, the ambassadors presented them to the judges, who noted that they indeed tried to give it an Italian touch! This was of course very much appreciated by the Ambassador of Italy, Mr. Andrea Perugini.

The Ambassadors at work.

What is more, the evening programme had a noble cause, as all of the proceeds from this event were subsequently donated to ESA Humanitarian Relief Fund.

The Ambassador of Switzerland.

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