Conferenze e Fiere

🍣 The first Italy Sushi Cup will be held in Vercelli on May 28, organized by Associazione Italiana Ristoratori Giapponesi (AIRG). The winner will compete in the World Sushi Cup 2025 in Tokyo this August. Contestants must have at least 5 years of experience as sushiman, reside and work in Italy, or be Italian nationals abroad, and must hold a Sushi Proficiency Certificate. The competition includes a prep test, a traditional Edomae-sushi arrangement, and a creative sushi composition.

🍽 During a delegation visit from Lombardy to New York, a special event named "Host Region, Home of Excellence" is being held at Eataly - Bar Milano Flatiron. The event features a menu by Chef Roberto Valbuzzi and includes a showcase of Lombard gastronomy, such as Grana Padano cheese, with a pairing of local sparkling wines. The 50 selected guests include industry professionals and specialized press, connecting Lombardy's culinary tradition to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and the region's mountains. The program begins at 6:30 PM with registration, followed by institutional greetings and a guided tasting from 7:20 PM to 9:00 PM.

🍻 At Beer&Food Attraction, Fabio Russo interviewed Paolo Molinari, CEO of Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori, an Italian company with over 200 years of tradition in high-quality liquor production. They introduced Gin Tabar London Dry, a new addition to their flavored gin range, honoring Emilian excellence while maintaining traditional gin characteristics. Also presented were the 1814 line's Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo and the "pop" version of Amaro del Ciclista, catering to all palates.

🍻 On March 3, Azotea in Turin hosted Milan's Carico for a guest night starting at 20:00. Bar manager Matteo Fornaro and Carico's owner Dom Carella, celebrated for his hospitality consultancy, offered a six-course menu with cocktail pairing at €65 per person (€40 for sips pairing). Azotea ranks 400th in Top 500 Bars, while Carico is mentioned in 50 Best Discovery, among the top 10 restaurant bars by Tales of the Cocktail, and ranks 198th in Top 500 Bars. Reservations at azoteatorino.superbexperience.com.

🍅 SOL2EXPO – Full Olive Experience at Veronafiere from Sunday, March 2, to Tuesday, March 4, features over 50 events including conferences, cooking shows, and tastings. Inaugural conference on March 2 (11:30 AM, Area talk pad.2) by SOL2EXPO-Nosmisma Observatory, with Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida and other officials. Key topics include EVO oil consumer perspectives, olive oil market in Italy and Europe, and Xylella solutions. Cooking demonstrations by chefs Andrea Perini, Claudio Rugna, and Emanuele Natalizio, and mixology sessions by the Women's Oil Association are also scheduled.

🍾 Treno dei Vini dell’Etna, organized by Strada del Vino e dei Sapori dell’Etna in cooperation with Ferrovia Circumetnea, has seen a significant increase in popularity, especially among tourists from Germany and the United States, including visitors from Finland, Belgium, France, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Korea. The tour's numbers doubled from the previous season, with more regional train users indicating a growing trend in slow tourism. Departure stations are strategically located at Giarre, Riposto, and Piedimonte Etneo. The original guided itinerary included visits to Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia, with Etna Doc wine tastings and local products, while the 2025 edition will introduce a new enogastronomic route and include southeast Etna vineyards. An info point will open in Catania in March, and the Vinobus Etna Wine Bus project will launch, connecting Catania center to the southeast side of Etna.

🎾 FelsineoVeg SB will participate in Racquet Trend Expo, from 7 to 9 March at Fiera Milano Rho, showcasing their 100% plant-based product range, including the protein-rich Good&Green Mopur® Fitness line. The event features gaming sessions, with appearances by Regina Baresi and Anastasia Abbagnato on 8 March and a talk by Andrea Righi on the 9th highlighting healthy eating. The expo emphasizes the link between sports, well-being, and a balanced diet.

🏀 Over 4 million people in Italy have made watching sports in bars a popular ritual, contributing to significant revenue increases for restaurants and public venues. A Nielsen study finds that 57% of patrons would have stayed home if not for the live sporting events. Bars and restaurants experience a 19% income boost on days with live sports. Key upcoming events, such as Napoli vs Inter on March 1st, MotoGP in Thailand, Milan-Lazio on March 2nd, Inter vs Feyenoord on March 5th, and Manchester United vs Arsenal, Juventus vs Atalanta on March 9th, along with Formula 1 and ATP tennis tournaments in March, are expected to draw massive crowds. Live sports in venues offer a strategic way to increase profits by an average of 19%.

🏫 Constructed in 1385 by Bonifacio and Antonio Lupi for defense, Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna near Parma transformed into a Baroque masterpiece by the 17th century with original furniture. Open to the public, it hosts the ghost legend of Donna Cenerina since 1573. Diofebo VI, the current prince with no direct heirs, lives there. The castle is part of a 23-strong circuit and hosts the annual "AperiPrince" before Christmas. Tours and events like weddings are offered year-round.

🍷 The Consorzio Asti Docg makes its debut at the Turin Wine Fair from 1st to 3rd March at the OGR Turin with 20 companies showcasing their protected productions including Asti Spumante and niche expressions like Canelli Docg and Strevi Doc. Events include masterclasses and culinary pairings, such as "All the nuances of Asti Docg" on 2nd March (12:30 PM), and a vertical tasting by Associazione Comuni del Moscato (1st March, 4:30 PM). Visitors must book via https://salonedelvinotorino.it/il-salone/.