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Are you Christmas-ready?
Ciao! We are nearing the end of 2023, and it is officially time to bring out your favourite tree and start decorating again, as Christmas is almost here! The Original Italian Christmas holiday consists of several famous traditions, but one thing that remains common through all the festivities is the delicious cakes & treats!
While you are busy with all the decorations and gift-picking for your near and dear ones, we do not want you to miss out on filling your pantry with the best seasonal cakes and sweets (mainly because they run out in no time!) So today, we present some of the best Italian + European brands known for their unique taste and unmistakable quality (and their oh-so-pretty packaging!)
| Fiasconaro |
A brand that came into origin in the early 1950s, Fiasconaro was invented by Mario Fiasconaro, and the legacy is now carried forward by his three sons - Nicola, Fausto and Martino Fiasconaro. If you love Panettone (yum!), Italian Christmas treats or Italy in general, there is no way you have not heard of this celebrated brand. (Yes, it is that famous!)
Over the years, Panettone has become one of the most anticipated Christmas + New Year desserts all over the world, and no one does it like Fiasconaro. A sweet bread speckled with fruits and nuts, you just cannot stop eating!
Fiasconaro, to this date, produces using the same old traditional recipes that keep the taste of their products unique and unmatchable. Every year, they collaborate with the renowned Italian designer brand Dolce & Gabbana for a limited edition Christmas collection packaging & it sure is a lovely sight!
Also, some more of Fiasconaro's must-try Christmas products: Cream Spread, Jam, Honey, Classic Torrone & Torroncini.
| Melegatti |
The wonderful - Original Pandoro Melegati was invented by Domenico Melegatti in 1894. Prepared using simple ingredients and classic pastry traditions, the flavourful Melegatti products are known for their inimitable softness, taste and aroma!
Melegatti has something that matches everyone’s taste buds, but the one thing you cannot miss trying is their amazing Pandoro cake, which is also popular as a classic Italian leavened cake and counted amongst the must-haves during Christmas festivities. The original recipe with unique taste and supreme quality sets them apart from any other brand in the market.
Also, some more of Melegatti's must-try Christmas products: Biscuit Anchio, Panettone & Panettondoro.
| Venchi |
Are you a fan of layered, delicious truffles with fresh nuts? How about some rich and creamy festive sweets? YES! Then look no further, Venchi is the brand for you! With mouth-watering deliciousness made of rich chocolate, this is one brand your festive season is incomplete without! Bonus: Their packaging is creatively crafted & can also be used as Christmas tree ornaments.
Invented in 1878 by Silviano Venchi when he was just 20 years old, the products are prepared using the best ingredients and intentions. Perfected over 140 years of experience, every bite is delicious, healthy, and natural.
Also, some more of Venchi's must-try Christmas products: Dragées, Milk Gianduja, Chocolate Pralines, Chocoviar Pralines & Dark Chocolate.
| Fortwenger |
Love gingerbread? Then you surely know the incredible brand - Fortwenger. Founded in 1768 by Charles Fortwenger - a master baker, who opened a workshop making tasty gingerbread in Gertwiller. Two centuries down, Fortwenger's famous gingerbread is made with the same traditional recipe followed by the founder.
Along with all the fabulous snacks, you can even pick a pack of gingerbread kits and plan a fun gingerbread decoration session with your Li'l ones!
Also, some more of Fortwenger's must-try Christmas products: Flavoured & Sliced Gingerbread, Biscuits and more!
| Condorelli |
Condorelli is a classic Italian brand, that is a perfect pick if you are looking to gift confections this holiday season. Made with fine-quality ingredients, each bite has a unique flavour, and it looks as good as it tastes!
Also, some more of Condorelli's must-try Christmas products: Nougat, Marzapane, Croccante Stick and Torroncini, all best paired with their delicious Almond milk.
| Barbero |
Barbero was founded in the year 1883 by Melchiorre Barbero and is famous for its unique product range and incredible taste. A brand with rich history + Torrones prepared with so many different nuts combination that you just cannot resist! Their handy packaging also makes them perfect for gifting.
At Casinetto, our mission is to serve you all the deliciousness, authentic Italian and European food has to offer. Have a look at our Christmas specials and pick your favourites today - We're all set and stocked up for you!
Buon Appetito
Posted on December 9, 2023
Every Dessert Has a Season. Tiramisu Didn't Get the Memo
Every dessert has its season. This is not an opinion, it's just true, and somewhere inside you, you already know it. Chocolate lava cake is in December. The kind of thing you order when it's cold outside and you've stopped pretending to care about anything. Panna cotta is July, white, minimal, barely there, like it's also too hot to try. Crumble is October without question. Apple, pear, whatever's in the bowl, it belongs to grey skies and Sunday afternoons and the specific melancholy of a season ending. These desserts have their moment. They know it. They stay in their lane. Tiramisu does not stay in its lane Tiramisu shows up in January when you need something that feels like a decision. It shows up in April because the weather is nice and why not. It's on the menu in August at that outdoor restaurant and you order it even though it's 38 degrees because of course you do. It appears at Christmas, at birthdays, on a Wednesday with no occasion whatsoever. It does not check the calendar. It does not ask if this is a good time. And the thing is, it's never wrong. That's what separates it. Seasonal desserts are right once a year, maybe twice. Tiramisu is right in the way that a good espresso is right, in the way that sitting down after a long day is right. Not because of the weather. Because of what it does. It lifts. That's the whole job, and the job doesn't have an off-season. There's a reason Italian nonnas aren't making tiramisu only in autumn. There's a reason it's on every menu, in every month, in every city that has ever decided to take dessert seriously. It's not nostalgia. It's not a habit. The combination, espresso, mascarpone, cocoa, patience, works on a human being regardless of what the temperature is outside. Some things are just built differently The ones that prove it every time, in every season, start with the right ingredients. Mascarpone that tastes like it came from somewhere specific. Savoiardi that haven't forgotten what they're for. Cocoa that finishes clean. Not seasonal. Not occasional. Just right.
Casinetto Named Best Gourmet Food Supplier by CPI Media Group
We're proud to announce that Casinetto has been recognised as Best Gourmet Food Supplier by CPI Media Group, a distinction that reflects years of dedication to elevating the regional culinary landscape. What This Recognition Means This award acknowledges more than our product portfolio—it recognises our role as a trusted partner to the UAE and KSA's most discerning culinary professionals. From Michelin-starred kitchens to boutique delis, our clients rely on us to source ingredients that meet the exacting standards their reputations demand. The selection process evaluated suppliers across multiple criteria: product authenticity, supply chain reliability, portfolio diversity, and commitment to quality assurance. CPI Media Group's rigorous assessment underscores what sets Casinetto apart in an increasingly competitive market. The Casinetto Standard Excellence in gourmet food supply isn't just about logistics—it's about curation. Every product we represent, from French artisanal cheeses to Italian charcuterie, Spanish olive oils to premium pantry essentials, undergoes careful evaluation for provenance, quality, and market fit. Our team works directly with producers across Europe and beyond, ensuring traceability, authenticity, and consistent availability. This direct-source approach means our partners get more than products—they get the story, the expertise, and the assurance that comes with genuine partnerships. Looking Ahead As the regional F&B sector continues to evolve, so does our commitment to bringing the world's finest gourmet products to the Gulf. This recognition from CPI Media Group validates our approach and motivates us to raise the bar even higher. To our restaurant partners, retail clients, and culinary professionals who trust us with their most important ingredient decisions: thank you. Your standards drive our excellence. The best tables in the region deserve the best ingredients. That's the promise we renew with this recognition.
Italian Cuisine at the Heart of UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage
UNESCO has given special cultural heritage status to Italian cooking, viewing it as so much more than simply a set of recipes. This award honours Italian cuisine as a living tradition, as something to be practised, shared and handed down from one generation to the next. National favourites like pizza were already on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, but this respect extends beyond that. It honors italian traditional cooking in its entirety, and the way it is taught, preserved and practised all over Italy, both at home, where the teachings have been passed down from generation to generation in families, and through other venues such as home kitchens, food schools for young children and adults as well. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has championed the recognition of Italian cuisine since her election, captured its essence perfectly when she said that Italian cuisine is not just food or a set of recipes, but a culture, tradition, labour, and collective wealth. What Does This Mean? For millions of food lovers worldwide, this recognition is a reminder that the cuisine of Italy is worth slowing down to savour. It celebrates cooking that honours time, technique and ingredients selected with care. From crunchy Sicilian cannoli to Calabrian ’nduja, Italian food continues to excel by being characterful, deep and rooted in place. The announcement was made during a UNESCO assembly meeting in Delhi, where the cultural agency described Italian cuisine as a powerful way of connecting with family and community, whether at home, in schools, or through festivals, ceremonies, and social gatherings. Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO of Filiera Italia, has referred to the distinction as a joint success for the entire Made in Italy supply chain, underlining the team effort behind Italian food, from producers and handicrafts people to those who renew this tradition every day. He additionally stressed the Mediterranean diet, adding that when we refer to it, we are really talking about Italian cuisine itself, which is based on balance in unity, variety and respect for produce. At Casinetto, this recognition comes all too naturally. It embodies the same virtues we admire in any product we decide to carry: authenticity, tradition and food that tells a story worth preserving. We collaborate with producers who cherish tradition, value quality ingredients and believe in the integrity of their craft rather than cutting corners. The things we have on our shelves are not the result of trend-chasing, but rather an appreciation for the stories and know-how behind them, values that, by celebrating certain practices around the world, UNESCO has decided to endorse.