ORIGINS OF ITALIAN GOURMET The Barilla family has been the foremost ambassador of Italian food tradition around the world with Academia Barilla being the most recent expression of this commitment. The mission of Academia Barilla is to protect, develop, and promote the art of Italian gastronomy and culture around the world. It develops the Italian culinary art by celebrating traditions, nourishing innovation, and promoting the knowledge and the enjoyment of Italian regional cuisines.