Close your eyes and imagine white truffle cream dusted with a fine caper powder, fresh cheese-infused with sweet pepper, saffron liquor, limoncello with chocolate cream. These are just a few of the tasty tidbits attendees at this edition of Taste will have the pleasure of trying. Foodies and lovers of all things Italian can enjoy another taste-filled weekend at the 7th edition of Florence's ever-famous food and wine fair at Stazione Leopolda.
This year's edition is dedicated to excellence in on the table, food lifestyles and the ever-growing audience of nouveau and experienced foodies. Participants include top figures in the national and international gastronomic world, restaurant owners, chefs, food bloggers, in addition to those, like me, who simply passionate about good and quality eats.
As always, this event is open to both professionals and the general public and will feature some 250 culinary companies ready to show off their best food and drink products. Those in attendance can be sure to enjoy a toothsome trip through the sights, smells and tastes of both traditional and modern cuisine with this edition's 'taste tour.' There will be Taste Tools, a nice opportunity to buy high-quality culinary devices, apparel, and kitchen design items. Then there's the aste shop: a shop selling the exclusive food products that are showcased at the fair.
In this edition of Taste Ring, a series of mini-discussion periods with food experts and VIPs, the famous Davide Paolini, known as ‘il gastronauta,' will moderate talks that will range from unexpected food combinations and various aspects of social, economic and cultural life in regards to food. Topics highlighted this year include a talk show hosted by Oscar Farinetti, creator of Eataly, who wil discuss the future of artisanal Italian products in domestic and international markets, as well as a spotlight on butchers. There will also be a photographic exhibit, book presentations, and a kitchen 'race,' which will put the spotlight on the main players from the world of 'taste.' To further introduce technology to the culinary forefront, Taste organizer, Pitti Immagine, has invited 10 talented food bloggers, who will live blog and post recipes during the two-day event.
If that wasn't enough, returning this year is Fuoriditaste, a program of events across town. This year, there are 100 off events and a variety of venues, among them enotecas, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, theatres, museums and more.
Below is a selection of the best off events. Buon Appetito!
Gucci Caffe
Gucci Museo, Piazza della Signoria 5, Florence
Gucci caffe will be the lead player in a series of micro-events featuring menus created in cooperation with the Taste fair. It is a chance to appreciate a uniquely cosmopolitan caffe and meet likeminded foodies to discover new tastes, including delectable chocolate and Japanese tea. Price: free afternoon tasting, lunch and dinner is 38€. For information, see www.gucci.it.
Riccardo Barthel
March 10, 7:30pm and March 11, 9am to 4pm, Via dei Serragli 234r, Florence
‘Snacks at Casa Barthel' of freshly backed cake and the 3rd edition of Ortobello will be hosted on Saturday, March 10 by Riccardo Barthel. On Sunday, the boutique-workshop in the Oltrarno will host Ortobello, a 0km food market that offers visitors the opportunity to buy locally grown produce in the Florentine furniture company's courtyard.
Gallery di Pakazzo Coveri, exhibition ‘Cake Thinking'
March 8 to April 16, Galleria di Palazzo Coveri, Lungarno Guicciardini 19, Florence
Marina Calamai will present 25 works of her last production that draw inspiration from a single subject: sweets. Special wine tasting on March 8th at 6:30pm to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous chocolate cake made by Villa Marta. For info, see www.galleriadelpalazzo.com.
Riva Lofts Florence presents Champagne Update
March 9, 6pm, Via Baccio Bandinelli 98, Florence
Riva Lofts presents the new edition of the guide appointed by Gourmand International as the ‘Best Italian book on French wines' in 2011. Guests will taste the flavors of Riva's cuisine accompanied with Champagne Jean Milan. For details, see www.rivalofts.com.
Zibibbo & Taste For Meyer
March 9, 8:30pm, Via di Terzollina, 3r, Florence
The restaurant kitchen Zibibbo is organizing a charity benefit dinner for the Meyer Children's Hospital Foundation. Dishes will include tastings of traditional Tuscan products made with a bit of a twist. Price is 80 euro, a portion of which will be donated to the foundation. For information and booking, call 055/433383.
The Six Senses of Extravergine Oliveoil
March 11, 6pm to 9pm, Jk Place, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella 7, Florence
An event in the lounge of JK Place will speak directly to the senses and seek to break the mold on the uses of extra virgin olive oil. For more information, see www.frantoiofranci.it.
Tasting at the Restaurant Il Palagio at Four Seasons
March 10, 7pm to 11pm, Four Seasons Hotel's Ristorante il Palagio, Borgo Pinti 99, Florence
During Taste, the Four Seasons Hotel Florence will be home to a rich program of events, including a tasting menu starting at 7pm. Price is 75euro, for information and booking, call 055/2626450 or see www.fourseasons.com/florence.
Pannettone Party , ‘Eat Panetotone all year long' with the Gastronaut!
March 10, 5:30pm to 10pm, Obikà Mozzarella bar, Via dei Tornabuoni, Florence
A party dedicated to tasting homemade panettone combined with ice cream, wine and bubbly. This will be a unique opportunity to taste cake and extravagant combinations of the Gastronaut. Don't forget the contest "Vote Your Panettone". Free event, for information and booking, call Obika' at 055/2773526 or see www.gastronauta.it.
Milord presents "Soft Pleasures, "Balsamic" Delight
March 10, 5pm to 8pm, Milord fashion House in Florence, Piazza Strozzi 12-13r, Florence
In the historic atelier Milord Fashion House in Florence, Italian hands that work with balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese and beer will be joined by those who are experts in Fashion for an aperitivo. Free event. Call 059/512112 or email [email protected]
The Tastes of Tradition with Macelleria Vignoli
March 10, 5pm to 8pm, Macelleria Vignoli, Piazza San Pier Maggiore 1r, Florence
Maccelleria Vignoli will host an olive oil and wine tasting with products from the Casalone Vignoli Farm. The tasting will be led by Luke Socci, an agronomist and head of the tasting panel for oils at the Chamber of Commerce of Florence.
Out of Town, Fish & Beer at the 4Nero Concept Store
March 11, 7:30pm to 10:30pm, 4Nero Concept Store, Via Carlo Marsuppini 4, Florence
Outside the center at the 4NERO Concept Store, an evening will be dedicated to interesting pairings between fish and beer. Free event by invitation; reservation required; for details and booking 347/7111516 or email [email protected] and www.4nero.it.
Taste and Fuoriditaste 2012
March 10 to 12, 12 to 7:30pm, Stazione Leopolda, v.le f.lli Rosselli 5, Florence
For a full list of events, see www.tastefirenze.it, www.pittimmagine.com, and www.facebook.com/fuoriditaste.
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