PITO Article

On the afternoon of November 29, 2025, the Guangzhou School of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN)—the globally recognized guardian of Neapolitan pizza as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage—was officially inaugurated at the Chaozhou City of Gastronomy Greater Bay Area Reception Center in Haizhu District, Guangzhou.

The event was co-hosted by Guangzhou Sanjiu Italian Cuisine Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Great Bay Industrial Co., Ltd.

Government and industry representatives including Li Rong and Chen Qiqi; AVPN leaders Antonio Pace and Stefano Auricchio; the Consul General of Panama in Guangzhou; the Commercial Consul of Canada in Guangzhou; along with numerous experts from Chinese and international culinary associations attended the ceremony, witnessing this milestone in Sino-Italian gastronomic exchange.

The event opened with remarks from Tan Guangmao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Guangdong Guangqing Real Estate Co., Ltd., who affirmed the significance and value of establishing the AVPN Guangzhou School. A short documentary introducing AVPN was then screened, offering guests deeper insights into the association’s heritage and mission.

In his speech, Xu Hongsheng, President of the International Trade Committee of the China Hotel Supplies Association, emphasized that preserving intangible culinary heritage requires broad social participation. He praised Guangzhou Sanjiu Italian Cuisine Co., Ltd. for building an important bridge for Chinese–Italian culinary exchange.

AVPN President Antonio Pace and General Manager Stefano Auricchio took the stage to deliver keynote speeches, sharing the association’s founding mission—promoting authentic Neapolitan pizza worldwide—and expressing their high expectations for the newly established Guangzhou campus.

Sun Guang, Co-founder of Guangzhou Sanjiu Italian Cuisine Co., Ltd., and Luca Di Massa, General Manager of the Guangzhou Campus, also addressed the audience, outlining their commitment to bringing authentic Italian pizza craftsmanship to Guangzhou and their plans for training and brand development.

Videos showcasing the Neapolitan Pizza School and the Olympic Pizza Competition were presented, highlighting the deep cultural roots and global influence of Neapolitan pizza.

The ceremony reached its peak as Chinese and international guests jointly unveiled the plaque, marking the official establishment of the AVPN Guangzhou Campus.

This was followed by the presentation of plaques for the Beijing Oriental Culinary Academy Training Base and the Guangzhou Tan Guohui Cantonese Cuisine Master Training Studio, underscoring the deepening synergy between Chinese and Western culinary traditions.

Following the unveiling and plaque presentation ceremonies, a unique roasted pig-cutting ceremony—symbolizing harvest, sharing, and celebration—was held, adding a meaningful cultural touch to the event. Guests participated and posed for group photos to commemorate the occasion.

They were then guided on a tour of the Sanjiu Cuisine flagship store, where they experienced the charm of authentic Italian dining firsthand.

The establishment of the AVPN Guangzhou Campus not only brings authentic Neapolitan pizza craftsmanship and culture to Guangzhou but also builds a new platform for Sino-Italian culinary exchange. This “Going Global & Bringing In” model further expands the boundaries of gastronomic collaboration.

Looking ahead, the campus will leverage AVPN’s professional resources to offer pizza-making training and related programs, fostering deeper integration and development between Chinese and Italian culinary cultures.

New Era

New Pattern

New Opportunities

In the future, let’s move forward hand in hand!