The ceremony has become an opportunity to thank those who choose it and pass it on but also a moment of discussion on the future strategies of the sector

Avola, September 17, 2024. Pride, responsibility and the need to work as a team to safeguard and protect the Avola Almond. The first edition of the “Ambassadors of the Avola Almond” awards ceremony went far beyond expectations, becoming not only an opportunity to thank and reward those who choose, use and pass on the processing techniques of the precious fruit, but also an opportunity for a 360° comparison on its future.

On the stage of the Teatro Garibaldi in Avola, the evening was hosted by the editor-in-chief of Allfoodsicily.it, Michele Balistreri, and the president of the Strade di Sicilia association, promoter of the initiative in collaboration with the Consorzio della Mandorla di Avola and the Municipality of Avola, Francesco Midolo.

The mayor Rossana Cannata was the host. "We continue to link the unique products of our city with the name of our Avola - she said -. The Almond of Avola is linked to great food and wine: a product that works and is liked: whoever receives the recognition today has made a precise choice, that of using our Almond, and we reward this choice".

From Gaetano Cappello, president of the Avola Almond Consortium, an invitation to protection: «Protecting and promoting the Avola Almond concerns everyone – he explained – and not just us producers. Protecting it means caring about our health, our territory also from a social and economic point of view, considering the numbers of the sector. We must work together, no one excluded».

An appeal taken up by the national deputy of Fratelli d'Italia Luca Cannata, who spoke before the ceremony got underway. "The protection and enhancement of the Avola Almond is a process that began in the past, when I was mayor, and which is now continuing. I am thinking of the twinning with the producers of a French city, Maison Pécou of Montauban, or the confetti used for the Royal wedding. Now we continue, with the national government committed to the protection of local products: we will talk about it soon during the G7 Agriculture and the Divination expo scheduled for next week in Syracuse".

Then there was space for the winners. There were 4 confectionery factories that received the “Ambassadors of Almonds of Avola” award. For the company “Di Donato 1932” of Pescara, Alessia Di Donato was present to collect the award. “Our relationship with Avola has lasted 35 years – she said – and we treat your Almond with care to make it known to the World as the best almond. This is our job, which we have been committed to for years”.

For “Volpicelli – Confetti e cioccolato dal 1930” of Nola, Valerio Volpicelli was present to collect the award. «The Avola Almond characterizes us – he said – and represents perfection because it is the maximum expression to be able to arrive at products of the highest quality, after in-depth research and a lot of work».

For the “William Di Carlo Confetti dal 1833” of Sulmona, William Di Carlo was present. «The Avola Almond – he said – is a type of almond that we know well and have been working with for a long time. We are happy for this recognition: I remember when my father came to talk to the suppliers of the past, it is magnificent that this relationship continues».

For “Maxtris Confetti” of Somma Vesuviana, Luciano Aliperta was present. «The Avola Almond – he said – is a fundamental product that allows us to give a plus to our products, to differentiate them and make them even more valuable. We are proud to be able to use, relaunching a series of future challenges, with a particular responsibility towards this fruit and towards this city».

The awards (a sculpture depicting the Almond husk) designed by the architect Felice Romano and then created by the sculptor Antonio Rossitto and Pierpaolo Forte of Officina Arte also went to chef Marco Baglieri (Michelin Star) of the Crocifisso restaurant in Noto, who thanked «the organization for having thought of and given life to an important moment on an excellent food and wine product» and to Sibat Tomarchio of Acireale of the entrepreneur Cristina Busi Ferruzzi. «I wasn't happy – she said – until we managed to create a drink dedicated to the Almond. We did it, it wasn't easy, but we did it with an excellent and unique product. I like to think that inside every bottle of almond milk there is a seed of Avola Almond from my land in Vendicari».

The first 6 Mandorla di Avola Ambassadors also received a nice wooden pen signed by the artist Salvo Fazzino.

To close the ceremony, two certificates from the Custodians of the Almond of Avola were also awarded, delivered by the companies Viscotta di Vincenza Loreto and Bianco di Mandorla of the Fugali family.

"We celebrated the present," concluded Francesco Midolo of the Strade di Sicilia association from the stage, "to build the future of this great product together."