Skip to Content
News

Italian Language Foundation Announces Giambelli Culinary Award Winners

The Giambelli Culinary Awards were announced at a gala honoring outstanding individuals and businesses in the Italian culinary industry.

Pictured (from left to right) are the 2025 Giambelli Culinary Award recipients on hand at the Italian Language Foundation gala: Alban and Etnik Gashi, Sergio's Ristorante (Pelham, NY); Andrew Cotto, Author and Co-founder of Appetito Magazine; Mike Fish and Walter Pogliani of Pogliani Select; Luisa and John DeCicco Jr. of DeCicco & Sons.

Pictured (from left to right) are the 2025 Giambelli Culinary Award recipients on hand at the Italian Language Foundation gala: Alban and Etnik Gashi, Sergio’s Ristorante (Pelham, NY); Andrew Cotto, Author and Co-founder of Appetito Magazine; Mike Fish and Walter Pogliani of Pogliani Select; Luisa and John DeCicco Jr. of DeCicco & Sons.

On June 26th, the Italian Language Foundation announced the recipients of the second annual Giambelli Culinary Awards during a gala event at the Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, NY.

The Italian Language Foundation's Giambelli Culinary Award recognizes restaurants, chefs, food vendors, distributors, and markets, journalists, cookbook authors, lifestyle advocates, and culinary institutions that honor and promote Italian culture and Italian cuisine in the United States," says ILF President Margaret I. Cuomo. "Our 2025 Giambelli Culinary Award winners exemplify a commitment to excellence in Italian gastronomy. Bravo!"

Here are The Italian Language Foundation's Culinary Award 2025 recipients (in alphabetical order).

Brocato's Gelateria and Pasticceria of New Orleans, Louisiana: Angelo Brocato – A New Orleans tradition since 1905

Andrew Cotto - Author and Co-founder of Appetito Magazine: Home - Andrew Cotto

Luisa and John DeCicco Jr. - DeCicco & Sons: Home | DeCicco & Sons

Francesca Montillo, founder and leader of The Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures: The Lazy Italian - Culinary Adventures

Walter Pogliani and Mike Fish - Pogliani Select: (1) Instagram

Alban and Etnik Gashi - Sergio's Ristorante in Pelham, New York: Sergio's Ristorante of Pelham - Italian restaurant in Pelham, NY

Stresa Restaurant in Manhasset, New York: Stresa Restaurant - Voted Long Island's Best Italian Restaurant

The Italian Language Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that was created in 2008 to support and promote Italian language education nationally. 

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

Anto’s Pizza Puts Conway on the Map

At Anto’s Pizza Romana in Conway, technique, tradition, and competition-level precision are shaping one of the area’s most talked-about pizzerias.

April 21, 2026

April 21 Marks the First International Moka Day

A daily habit in Italian homes takes on new meaning as a global celebration brings the moka pot out of the kitchen and into view.

April 20, 2026

Mangiare la Foglia: When Getting It Is Something You Eat

In Italian, understanding is not always something you grasp. Sometimes, it is something you eat.

April 20, 2026

An Italian Chef’s Mission to Change the Hospitality Industry

Chef Vincent Tropepe has created an initiative focused on supporting the mental health of hospitality industry workers.

April 20, 2026

Sunday Shop: YSE Beauty, Estelle’s, Hudson Local and more

Morgan Hines seeks out the best in not only food and drink but style, housewares, and more. Welcome to Appetito’s Sunday Shop!

April 19, 2026

How Artisanal Cellars Finds Sustainable, Boutique Italian Wines

Searching for an excellent, unique bottle of wine for under $25 need not have you tilting at windmills. Enter small, conscientious producers.

April 17, 2026
See all posts