Italian Specialty and Gourmet Foods Basics

Making and buying the best gourmet Italian food for your customers
By Kristina Seleshanko Gourmet Italian dishes are in high demand. In 2007, a Harris poll revealed that when Americans eat out, 22 percent prefer Italian food. Whether your food business is strictly Italian based or simply features a few tasty Italian specialty foods, you, too, can cash in on America's love of Mediterranean dishes.

Depending on your business needs, you may either create Italian gourmet from scratch or purchase it already prepared and ready to serve to your customers. Main dishes are one area of focus, while gourmet Italian desserts are something of a speciality. Take a moment to consider Italian specialty and gourmet foods basics:

1. Find excellent gourmet Italian dishes to prepare in your commercial kitchen.

2. Discover Italian specialty stores that will provide prepared Italian foods for your customers.

3. Locate recipes and sources for Italian specialties, like desserts.

Research Italian gourmet food recipes

Italian food is often quick and easy to prepare, but a good recipe--and fresh ingredients--are key to making your Italian dishes stand out from the crowd. Look for familiar and popular Italian foods, as well as those that will stretch your customers' understanding and appreciation of Italian dishes.
Try:  For lots of great traditional Italian recipes, see The Gutsy Gourmet. For recipes based on traditional Italian dishes, but with new twists, visit New Italian Recipes.

Purchase prepared food from Italian food companies

If Italian foods seems too far beyond your area of expertise, seek out Italian food manufacturers who can provide you with prepared items. You may also find that in order to prepare authentic dishes, you require specialty Italian food imports.
Try:  All Things Sicilian offers gourmet Italian food wholesale, including oils, salts, pasta and sauces. Salumeria Italiana also carries a selection of Italian gourmet foods, such as rice, polenta, cheese and cured meats.

Make or buy gourmet Italian desserts

Italian desserts are considered a specialty by many. Whether your want to try your hand at making them from scratch or you prefer to buy them already prepared, consider offering your customers such treats as cannoli, biscotti, and Italian cakes and cookies.
Try:  For a fine selection of Italian gourmet dessert recipes, visit Epicurious. For prepared wholesale Italian specialties like biscotti, cannoli and cakes, visit Bela Palermo Pastry Shop.

• When planning an authentic Italian gourmet menu, remember to keep things balanced. In Italy, each meal is a good balance between carbohydrates (often from bread and pasta) and protein (from meat and poultry), with plenty of vitamins and minerals (from vegetables and fruit).