We are proud to announce the Australian Good Food and Travel Guide have awarded that Perugino earned the admiration of the reviewers in 2011 and has been accordingly awarded an AGFG Chef Hat for 2012 as acknowledgment of our commitment.

FINE CIAO: Italian Chamber of Commerce secretary-general Marco Mari, customer Francesca Dallavolta and Perugino owner Giuesepe Paliaricci. Picture: Theo Fakos. Source: PerthNow

EIGHT Italian restaurants in Perth have been given the stamp of approval by their homeland.

For the first time, the Italian Government has awarded its prestigious quality seal to restaurants outside of Italy, and Perth won eight gongs to Melbourne's five.

The Ospitalita Italiana seal recognises those that uphold the country's traditions to a standard that makes them worthy of being ambassadors of the Italian culture.

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Marco Mari, the secretary-general of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Perth, is pleased.

"In terms of quality seal restaurants, we're second to New South Wales, but we got more than Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide," Mr Mari said.

He said all the venues would be presented with brass plates for their restaurants so customers would know where to go to get high-quality, traditional Italian fare.

"There are only a few restaurants that are true Italian, with an Italian chef, Italian service and traditional Italian products and cuisine; many others are called Italian, they look Italian but their cuisine has been a bit modified to satisfy the Australian taste," he said. Nationally, 34 Italian restaurants have been certified.

Mr Mari said it was unfortunate that some restaurants damaged the Italian brand by not holding standards up.

"The Italian name is widely used, but not always respected," he said.

"That's the purpose of this project, to send people to the right place if they want certified Italian cuisine."

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Past Awards

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Western Australia Awards for Excellence 2007

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Western Australia Awards for Excellence 1997

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Western Australia Awards for Excellence 1996

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Western Australia Awards for Excellence 1995

Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Western Australia Awards for Excellence 1994

American Express Restaurant Award 1994