Foodies flock to Fortezza da Basso from February 3 to 5 for three days dedicated to quality eating. Around 640 companies will be in attendance and over 100 new names will debut at this 17th edition of Taste, which is organized under the Pitti Immagine umbrella. Aimed at professionals in the food and drinks sector, gourmet lovers are also invited to sample the sweet and savoury selections. Under the theme ‘Colours are served’, dishes awaken the senses with colours presented as “food for the eyes”.
The fair is divided into three sections: Taste Tour sees masterclasses with experts on extra-virgin olive oil, with specialties like mortadella and Parmesan alongside much-loved brands like La Via del Té and Biscottificio Mattei. The Taste Spirits section features 24 top Italian drinks labels, including Peter in Florence and Amaro Rubino Bio. Then there’s Taste Tools, exploring table and kitchen accessories, with companies like 3G Packaging, Regalpack and Infinito Design.
Additionally, there’s the Unicredit Taste Arena that will host Davide Paolini’s ‘Rings’, diving into fermentation and leavening, with talks planned on topics like wine aged in amphora. You can also find the restaurant curated by Filippo – Ristorante a Pietrasanta, and finally a Taste Shop where you can purchase the products discovered during your visit.
Among the highlights are the domestic chicken coops by artistic duo Vedovamazzei presented by Giannoni & Santoni, in a project titled New Egg curated by Nicolas Ballario. The key ingredients are provided by quality egg producer Paolo Parisi, on display in the Sala della Volta, crossing the boundaries between art, design and architecture.
The Fuori di Taste calendar also packs in delights. On February 4, Bonverre and La Giardiniera di Morgan throw a night party in the iconic Serre Torrigiani greenhouse; and Giotto sees three top pizzaioli team up with Florence’s leading Peruvian, Indian and Korean restaurants. Check out the colourful aperitivo at Mercato Centrale Firenze on February 3, 4 and 5. The 25hours Hotel hosts The Body that Changes exhibition from 7pm on February 1, reflecting on the colours of wine with body art examples, followed by an aperitivo. From 10pm on February 3, The Night of the Cursed Poets will be held at the Companion Dolceamaro bar at 25hours, with three actors performing a series of readings (in Italian) dedicated to spirits. From 8pm on February 5, there’s the Out of Mind event at the hotel’s San Paolino restaurant, where chef Lorenzo Vendali offers a four-course menu dedicated to the seasons.
The daily entrance ticket to Taste costs 25 euro per person, with opening hours for the public from 2.30 to 6.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9.30am to 6.30pm on the Monday.
