Italian Cuisine Week Mozambique expands to Tete province

The 11th edition of Italian Cuisine Week Mozambique kicked off in Tete province on November 7, 2026, marking the first time the event has been held outside of Maputo. The opening dinner was hosted at Restaurant Mario's in Tete, promoted by the Italian Embassy in Maputo. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Tete Province Governor Domingos Viola and Tete Mayor César de Carvalho. The expansion of the event to Tete province signals a deepening engagement between Italy and Mozambique's regions.

The choice of Tete as a host location was strategic, following a Sistema Italia mission to the province in October 2026. The mission focused on cooperation, energy, and investment, highlighting Italy's growing bilateral relationship with Mozambique beyond the capital. The event also commemorated the story of Emanuele Ganci, an Italian prisoner of war who survived a shipwreck and settled in Tete. Ganci's descendants now own Restaurant Mario's, which hosted the opening dinner.

The evening's program featured a special dish created by Chef Massimo Battaglini, who traveled from Brazil for the event. Battaglini's Fettuccine del Naufrago, or Shipwreck Fettuccine, honored Ganci's story and experience. Italian Ambassador to Mozambique Gabriele Annis described the dish as the essence of culinary diplomacy, bringing together memory, encounter, and friendship between peoples. Annis emphasized that the event in Tete affirms the relationship between Italy and Mozambique belongs to the whole country, not just the capital.

This edition of Italian Cuisine Week Mozambique carries added significance, as Italian cuisine was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2025. As a result, 2026 marks the first edition to take place under that designation. The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World has been promoted by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation since 2016.

The event in Tete province is part of a larger program aimed at promoting Italian cuisine and products. The Italian Embassy in Maputo has been actively involved in organizing the event, which includes various activities and initiatives to showcase Italian food and culture. The program will continue with events dedicated to the promotion and discovery of Italian dishes and products.

The Italian Cuisine Week Mozambique program will conclude on November 21, 2026, in Maputo with the Solaris Wine Festival. The festival will feature Italian wines and products, providing an opportunity for Mozambicans to experience the diversity of Italian cuisine. The event is expected to attract a large audience, including wine enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about Italian culture.

The expansion of Italian Cuisine Week Mozambique to Tete province demonstrates the growing relationship between Italy and Mozambique. The event has provided a platform for cultural exchange, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations. As the program concludes, it is clear that the connection between Italy and Mozambique will continue to grow, with culinary diplomacy playing a significant role in fostering this relationship.

Key points

• Italian Cuisine Week Mozambique expands to Tete province for the first time, linking food to wartime memory and diplomacy.
• The event honors the story of Emanuele Ganci, an Italian prisoner of war who survived a shipwreck and settled in Tete.
• Italian cuisine was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2025.