BARILLA LAUNCHES SECOND ANNUAL COOKBOOK TO HELP FIGHT HUNGER
Guest Editors Mario Batali and David Tutera Offer Celebrity-Inspired Recipes and Table Settings to Raise Money for America’s Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network
Bannockburn, IL --- January 30, 2008 --- Barilla, the world’s number one pasta maker, announces its second annual call on pasta lovers to help fight hunger with the launch of “The Celebrity Italian Table Cookbook.” Renowned chef Mario Batali, entertaining expert David Tutera and five Hollywood celebrities partnered with Barilla to offer unique recipes and stylish table concepts.
Throughout the month of February, the cookbook is available online for no charge at www.celebrityitaliantable.com. For every person who downloads a copy, Barilla will donate $1 to America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network (up to $100,000).
“Gathering friends and family around the table is one of life’s greatest rewards,” said guest editor and entertaining expert David Tutera. “Each table concept helps bring out the warm smiles and hearty laughs you share during a special meal. The best part is you don’t have to be an expert to make the perfect table come to life.”
Tutera and Batali developed six three-course meals and table settings inspired by Hollywood celebrities Marisa Tomei, Debra Messing, Stanley Tucci, Chris Daughtry and Natalie Portman, which can easily be recreated at home. To thank the celebrities for their participation, Barilla is making an additional $25,000 donation to America’s Second Harvest on their behalf.
“The Celebrity Italian Table Cookbook highlights the importance of coming together as a nation to support hunger relief,” said Mario Batali, a long-time supporter of American’s Second Harvest and the Food Bank for New York City. “It’s a win-win situation. You get great recipes and table concepts while providing those suffering with a meal that will help them remember to celebrate life.”
This year’s cookbook offers the following celebrity-inspired recipes and table settings:
- Dinner Party with Marisa Tomei’s Farfalle “alla Marisa”
- Romantic Night with Chris Daughtry’s Rigatoni with Basil and Gorgonzola
- Celebratory Feast with Debra Messing’s Penne ala Vodka
- Girlfriends Gathering with Natalie Portman’s Penne alla Puttanesca
- Family Dinner with Stanley Tucci’s Spaghetti al Tonno
- Babbo with Mario Batali’s restaurant favorite Fettuccine with Zucca
“When Barilla asked me to be part of the cookbook, I immediately, said ‘Yes!’” said actress Marisa Tomei. “As an Italian-American, I know the importance of gathering at the table to share stories, laughs and celebrate life. This is a great way to share my Italian heritage while helping those in need.”
Since 1997, Barilla has been a supporter of America’s Second Harvest donating over 5 million pounds of pasta. Donations are distributed among more than 200 member food banks serving all 50 states, the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico. The cookbook initiative allows Barilla to continue their desire to support hunger relief in the United States.
“Today in America more than 35 million people – 12 million of whom are children – who are at risk of hunger,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest. “We are grateful to have Barilla’s continued support for our fight against hunger. It’s easy to do your part by simply downloading this year’s cookbook.”
“As the world’s number one pasta maker, Barilla is passionate about supporting hunger relief and passing on Italian traditions that show others how to bring people together around the table,” said Kirk Trofholz, president of Barilla US. “We are thrilled to partner again with America’s Second Harvest on this campaign and be part of such a highly worthwhile cause.”
About Barilla
Since 1877, Barilla has been producing pasta and other grain-based foods for consumers around the world. The company's basic animating principle has been to make these healthy products affordable to all, no matter where they might be. Barilla has remained true to its entrepreneurial roots over the past four generations, by combining ancient Italian traditions with cutting-edge technological advances. The result is a globally successful company, built on a foundation of principles that allow for continuous growth to reach ever-expanding goals. The Barilla Group - whose brands include Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Alixir, Pavesi, Voiello, Wasa, Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico) and Academia Barilla - is the first Italian food group, headed by the Barilla family for over 130 years. The Group has 26 factories (13 in Italy and 13 abroad). It realizes 35% of sales in volume in more than 125 countries.
About America’s Second Harvest
America's Second Harvest — The Nation's Food Bank Network, is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million hungry people in the United States, including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. For more information, please visit www.secondharvest.org.
###
Contact:
Ross Fraser
312.641.6422
Mohammed Dieye
212.704.8298
Leslie Bressor
212.819.4875
