Conferenze e Fiere

🍴 On September 30, 2024, at Villa Dino in Rome, the exclusive Chefs des Chefs 2024 event gathered the chefs of State Leaders from around the globe. Organized by La Differenza, in collaboration with the world's most exclusive gastronomic club founded by Gilles Bragard on November 21, 1977, the event returned to Italy showcasing Italian culinary excellence. Chefs from various countries, including the USA, China, Canada, and South Africa, participated, offering guests a flavorful journey with dishes from local Roman realities like La Differenza and Bistrot 64.

🍫 Choco Italia, itinerant chocolate fair, in Campobasso from October 3-6, 2024, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 10 a.m. to midnight. Organized by Associazione Italia Eventi with the support of Campobasso's mayor, Marialuisa Forte, and councilors. Features master chocolatiers from 7 Italian regions, a cultural chocolate factory for educational visits, and the initiative "Nonni e nipotini: un mondo di cioccolato" during the Grandparents' Festival. Upcoming Choco Italia dates include Matera (October 10-13), Frascati (October 17-20), Santa Maria di Castellabate (October 25-27), Tivoli (November 7-10), and Salerno (November 21-24).

🍳 The 10th edition of the Bressanvido Agriculture Festival begins today, focusing on the theme "Nourishing and savoring the present and the future." Tonight’s opening at 20:30 in Villa Pagiusco features Lorenzo De Guio, Antonio Lorenzon (MasterChef Italia 9 winner), and Antonio Pierobon (MasterChef13). The festival includes meetings, school activities, and workshops, concluding on October 12 with a conference on dairy cow heat stress. "Latterie Vicentine in Festa" takes place on October 6, highlighted by the cutting of Italy's largest Asiago DOP cheese form at 16:30, with proceeds going to local charities.

☕ Essse Caffè will showcase at SUN Beach&Outdoor Style fair, part of Salone InOut 2024, in Rimini from October 9-11 at HALL D5 STAND 037. Introducing a new product range for the Horeca sector, Essse Caffè presents the Expresss capsule machine designed for limited daily servings, with consistent quality and simplified maintenance. Highlighting the Isola Verde Barista line with high-quality Italian soy and oat drinks, Essse Caffè emphasizes its commitment to quality since 1979.

🍾 Ferrari Giovanni Industria Casearia partners with Club des Chefs des Chefs for their annual tour in Italy from September 29 to October 5. Founded in 1977, the club is an esteemed international culinary organization. On October 3, chefs will visit Ferrari's Bedonia dairy to observe Parmigiano Reggiano production, a cheese awarded at ICDA, made with Val di Ceno and Alta Val Taro milk. October 4 includes a trip to Chiaravalle Abbey, the birthplace of Grana Padano in 1135. Ferrari’s products will feature during the tour, including a charitable gala dinner on October 5 for the Fondazione Francesca Rava.

☕ In Naples, Gran Caffè Gambrinus celebrates Italian Historic Cafés Day on October 5th with guided tours from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Founded in 1860, renovated in 1890, and once closed in 1938 due to antifascist meetings, it reopened post-WWII, partially as Banco di Napoli. Revived in the 1970s by Michele Sergio and family, it's restored to former glory, hosting statesmen and pontiffs. To join, reservations are required via email to info@grancaffegambrinus.com.

🎲 Napoli's Gran Caffè Gambrinus opens for guided tours on 5 October, celebrating Italy's National Day of Historic Places. Founded in 1860, Gambrinus became a cultural and literary hub, hosting figures like kings, queens, and international artists. It was closed in 1938 for being an anti-fascist meeting spot but reopened post-WWII. By the 1970s, Michele Sergio and family began restoration, reaching former glory. Visits are from 10:00 to 13:00; booking required via info@grancaffegambrinus.com.

🍰 Fondazione Carlo Mendozzi launches 2nd edition of Self M-aid Award for gelato and pastry excellence. Open to entrepreneurs, associations, startups, social enterprises, and students of culinary schools. Prizes: €5,000 for 1st place, €2,500 for 2nd, €1,500 for 3rd, €1,000 for Young Talent. Applications due by 30 November 2024, winners selected by 20 December 2024, announced in January 2025 at SIGEP fair in Rimini. More info at fondazionecarlomendozzi.org.

🎤 Oscar Quagliarini will release "Herbarium" with Feltrinelli on November 12 and his first novel "A letto con gli spiriti" possibly with il Sole 24 Ore in January. In early 2025, he plans to launch a project with Antonio Parlapiano to raise awareness about alcohol and drug abuse, targeting emerging bartenders. Quagliarini has shifted to a healthier lifestyle after a challenging summer experiencing severe hypomania and now takes lithium-based psychotropic drugs. Summary: Oscar Quagliarini, partnering with Antonio Parlapiano, to launch an alcohol and drug abuse awareness project in 2025, following Quagliarini's personal health challenge with hypomania and excessive gin consumption, now controlled by lithium medication and lifestyle changes.

🚢 Costa Crociere opened bookings for its 2026 itineraries involving 6 ships in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Costa Fortuna will offer cruises in Greece and Turkey from May to October, departing from Athens, with "flight+cruise" packages available from major European countries, including Italy. Costa Fascinosa will visit four islands in Italy, Greece, and Malta weekly, featuring destinations like Argostoli, Mykonos, Catania, and Valletta. Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana will be based in the Western Mediterranean, departing from Savona and Genoa, while Costa Favolosa and Costa Diadema will sail in Northern Europe.