Italy, Meet New York; New York, Meet Italy

NEW YORK, April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Barilla, one of Italy's top food companies, is bringing the authentic Italian lifestyle to New York City throughout the spring and summer with a series of events in support of "a festa Italiana." The celebration of Italian culture kicks off with "Tasting Casa Barilla – A Celebration of an Authentic Italian Food Experience," where Barilla brings the flavors of Italy to the FIAT Gallery at 18 Wooster Street in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on April 28 and May 1, 2011.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110419/NY85327LOGO )

The FIAT Gallery is a destination for visitors to immerse themselves in the FIAT brand and culture displaying the Pop, Sport, Lounge and Cabrio versions of the new Fiat 500 (Cinquecento).  Barilla has partnered with the FIAT brand to bring additional Italian flavor to the Gallery events – which are free and open to the public. Barilla's Executive Chef, Lorenzo Boni, along with a team of chefs, will prepare simple, sumptuous authentic Italian cuisine with only the highest quality ingredients.

"The FIAT brand is a symbol of contemporary Italy and embodies many of the authentic Italian qualities that Barilla values," said Eugenio Perrier, Barilla Marketing Director, America. "Just as Barilla strives to bring traditional Italian food to consumers, the Fiat Cinquecento is the epitome of Italian style and modernity. Barilla is proud to bring a bit of Italy to the US."

Barilla and the FIAT brand will continue to partner throughout the year with additional consumer activations in support of a festa Italiana which culminates with "Casa Barilla" from September 13-16. Casa Barilla, an over 14,000 square foot structure to be erected in Central Park, will include activities for kids, cooking classes, lifestyle seminars, tastings and more. This extended celebration of Italian food and culture also includes Barilla's sponsorship of the Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park concert on September 15, 2011.

"Authentic 'Italianity' will be on display this year and Barilla is giving residents and visitors of New York City the opportunity to experience it," continued Barilla's Eugenio Perrier.

About the Barilla Group

Barilla, originally established in 1877 as a bread and pasta shop in Parma, Italy, ranks as one of today's top Italian food groups.  Barilla leads in the global pasta business, the continental Europe pasta sauce business, the bakery products business in Italy, and the crispbread business in Scandinavia.

Barilla owns 47 production and milling facilities (14 in Italy and 33 outside Italy) and exports to more than 150 countries.  Every year, over 2,500,000 tons of food products under the brands of Barilla, Mulino, Bianco, Voiello, Pavesi, Alixir, Academia Barilla, Wasa, Harry's (France and Russia), Lieken Urkorn and Golden Toast (Germany), Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico), are featured on dining tables all over the world.

Barilla has become one of the world's most esteemed food companies and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Italian know-how by respecting its longstanding traditional principles and values, considering employees a fundamental asset and developing leading-edge production systems.

For more information, please visit www.barillaus.com.

About the FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression.  The iconic Fiat 500 is Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage.  Reminiscent of the original Cinquecento, the 2012 Fiat 500 builds on the vehicle's global popularity. Since its initial launch in 2007, more than 500,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 80 countries around the world. The model's unquestionable popularity is the result of the Fiat 500's great ability to deliver unmatched personalization options with advanced solutions in terms of quality, engine and passenger comfort. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned 60 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year, Best New Engine of 2010 (FIAT MultiAir® Turbo).

For more information, please visit www.fiatusa.com.

Media Contact:
For Barilla
Melanie Perraglia, 212-704-8209
[email protected]

SOURCE Barilla