36th Annual NIAF Gala Weekend Re-Cap

The last weekend of October was a busy one here in Washington, especially with the annual NIAF Gala, a weekend packed full of events at the Washington Hilton Hotel.  Ciao DC was at  Expo Italia, a gateway to the best that Italians and Italian Americans businesses have to offer.

Friday night's Salute to the Martini offered a delicious pasta bar courtesy of Del Grosso Foods.  Glacier Vodka, an American company, provided open bar as the evenings sponsor.  Music from both the renowned Radio King Orchestra and international recording artist Cristina Fontanelli provided the right kind of ambiance to get couples dancing.   

On Saturday evening, more than 2,000 guests were in attendance to honor the many great accomplishments of Italian Americans.  For an extra special treat, President Obama joined the gala, to offer some humor and provide accolades to Pelosi and Napolitano, two of the top Italian Americans in our government.

Weren't able to attend this year?  Read the complete review at the NIAF website. Check out this highlight video of the gala dinner from the Italian Embassy!

Don't want to miss out next year?  Start planning now!

What was your favorite part of NIAF's 36th Anniversary Gala?  Let us know in the comment section below!

A Week of Wine Tasting

By Brandy Simpson, Special Events Contributor

Do you know which wine to pair with duck ravioli or seared rockfish? Do you know the difference between using white and red grapes in wine? If not, then this week's wine tasting events are for you!

Stop by Lia's on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 PM and enjoy a five-course dinner and wine pairing event with Chef Warren Hutchinson and Chef Norm Messer. The event will feature guest speaker Nicola Dal Maso, owner of two vineyards in Northern Italy. Tickets to the event are $69 per person and can be purchased here: https://www.chefgeoff.com/dalmaso-wine-dinner.html.

On Thursday, May 19, Casa Italiana is hosting a wine tasting seminar on Italy's hot, white and red grapes. Starting at 6:30 PM, the event lasts two and a half hours and costs $55. Guest speaker Vittorio Vettori of Banfi Vintners will explain the difference between white and red grapes, using Frascati of Castelli Romani (white wine) and Sangiovese of Tuscany (red wine) for tasting.

Visit the national headquarters of the National Italian American Foundation on Saturday, May 21 at 6 PM for a special wine tasting of fine Italian wines and gourmet specialties. For more information or to RSVP, contact beatrice@niaf.org

Salute!