A Summer of Italy, a celebration of authentic Italian food and culture, began in late July and extends through mid-September.  Barilla, the Italian food company, began presenting New Yorkers with everything Italian cuisine and culture including cooking classes, free dinner kits and continues with a Central Park celebration and concert featuring Andrea Bocelli.

"Barilla helps people around the world experience the joys of sharing the table, an integral part of Italian culture. In this spirit, we are delighted to offer this Summer of Italy to New York," said Guido Barilla, Barilla Group chairman. "The festivities include traditional Italian dishes prepared by New York's and Italy's finest chefs and also activities and events for all city residents to enjoy."

In an effort to ensure that all New Yorkers have the chance to share the table, Barilla is partnering with the Food Bank For New York City, the city's major hunger-relief organization. Proceeds from select events throughout the Summer of Italy will benefit the organization.

Barilla Cooking Classes at Eataly: Through September 7

Barilla Executive Chef Lorenzo Boni is offering a series of cooking classes at Eataly. The available classes include Italian Pasta Classics, Italian Coastal Pasta, Summer Italian Pasta and Simple Healthy Pasta. Students will learn the tips and tricks that all great Italian chefs use to create authentic, simple and delicious meals. Each class seats 20 and consumers can sign up on www.Eatalyny.com to reserve a space in class.

The Road to Casa Barilla: August 23 – September 12

On Tuesday, August 23, Barilla will rev up its engines for the race to Casa Barilla! Five Barilla-branded FIAT cars will zip all over the five boroughs visiting unknown Italian treasures around the city, stopping at gelato shops, Italian-style pizzerias and even Italian-influenced parks and green spaces. Drivers and brand ambassadors will hand out free tickets for entry into Casa Barilla to everyone who stops by, and the first five New Yorkers who check in with a Barilla car's location via FourSquare at select locations will win two VIP vouchers to Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park, to be redeemed for tickets inside Casa Barilla by noon on Wednesday, September 14.

Casa Barilla: September 13 – 16

The culmination of Barilla's Summer of Italy is Casa Barilla, a four-day celebration of Italian culture and cuisine in Central Park's Rumsey Playfield. New Yorkers can bring their families and friends along to taste, learn, cook, play and share during authentic Italian cooking classes, sampling stations, chef workshops and a dedicated play area for children called the Piccolini Playground. Here, children can make dried pasta necklaces and roll out their own pasta dough.

A number of renowned chefs, food and television personalities are scheduled to appear at Casa Barilla, including: Chef Massimo Bottura, awarded 'Chef of the Year' in January 2011 by Academie Internationale de la Gastronomie, Chef Scott Conant, of New York City's Scarpetta restaurant, Chef Sara Jenkins, of New York City's Porchetta and Porsena restaurants, Ellie Krieger, New York Times bestselling author, nutritionist and Food Network star, Chef Giuseppe Morisco, of FOX's "MasterChef" series, Thom Filicia, interior designer and TV star.

Barilla Executive Chef Lorenzo Boni will also be on hand, as well as talented Academia Barilla chefs from Parma, Italy. You can sign up for classes and workshops in advance by visiting www.ShareTheTable.com/SummerOfItaly.

Additionally, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to show off their cooking skills at the first-ever Casa Barilla Invitational: An Authentic Italian Culinary Challenge taking place on Tuesday, September 13 and Friday, September 16. Local cooks with a passion for the culinary arts can sign up online to compete for a NYC Culinary Adventure Package.

Finally, no Barilla event would be complete without extensive sampling: guests will be treated to hot and cold pasta dishes, specialty items from Academia Barilla and more. The entry fee for Casa Barilla is $5 for adults and free for children. 100 percent of all entry fees will benefit the Food Bank For New York City.

Main Sponsor of Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park: September 15

Barilla is also the main sponsor of a scheduled performance by beloved Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, on Central Park's Great Lawn the evening of Thursday, September 15. For the first time in Central Park concert history, Barilla will be the exclusive food provider for concert-goers, creating a cultural and culinary experience inspired by the cuisine of Italy and a unique opportunity for New Yorkers to share the table under the stars during the performance.

The Barilla menu, created by Chef Boni, will include a number of pasta dishes, including farfalle pasta with tomato-basil sauce and summer vegetable lasagne, as well as grilled Panini sandwiches, cold vegetable and legume soup, and more. Food will be available for purchase and 25 percent of proceeds will go the Food Bank For New York City to help all New Yorkers share the table.