THE EVENT

Authentic Italian is the only high-end Food & Wine Festival in Miami that mainly focuses on Italian cuisine and flavors.

The Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival is organized into two sessions: the first one, industry-only, is meant to facilitate the interactions between Italian producers and U.S buyers, and the second part of the event is a Grand Tasting, an opportunity for companies to present products to a selected public of local food lovers.

EXHIBITORS

Italian F&B producers, F&B importers, and distributors representing Italian brands, hospitality suppliers

CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBITORS

VISITORS

Hospitality industry (restaurant owners, chefs, beverage managers, buyers at hotels and restaurant chains), Cruise Industry, F&B importers and distributors, influencers (journalists and food bloggers), and local consumers.

Total attendance expected:

150+ F&B professionals

600+ Food Lovers

LOCATION

The 5th edition of the Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival will take place at the Coral Gables Country Club (990 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134).

CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE LOCATION

PROGRAM

DAY 1: Tuesday, May 14 – Pre-Event Activities (Exhibitors Only)

10:30am-12:30pm | ORIENTATION MEETING: INTRODUCTION TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA MARKET

Industry Testimonials, and U.S. market experts

(Optional activity dedicated to companies approaching the Florida market for the first time)

2:00pm-4:00pm | GROUP VISIT TO GOURMET MARKETS & GROCERY CHAINS IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI AND BRICKELL AREA

(Optional activity dedicated to companies approaching the Florida market for the first time)

7:00pm-9:00pm | LAUNCH DINNER

Including Meet & Greet and Speeches by top food & wine distributors

DAY 2: Wednesday, May 15 – Event Day @Coral Gables Country Club

2:30pm-4:30pm | TALKS (F&B PROFESSIONALS ONLY)

2:30 pm | Specialty foods distributors panel: “Consumer trends and the strive for delivering original and innovative products.”

In an effort to satisfy consumers’ new tastes, specialty food importers & distributors continue to upgrade the food alternatives available in the market.

• Gregg Alpern, Director of Food Service, Flora Fine Foods
• Tim Bascombe, CO-Founder/Principal, Grocers Gateway Group
• Jose Casals, Corporate Chef, US Foods

3:10 pm | Hotels & restaurants panel: “The quest for creating an authentic culinary experience.” 

The art of hospitality is always on the move to satisfy the experiential needs of sophisticated customers

• Francesco Balli, Co-founder and CEO, Grove Bay Hospitality Group
• Alfredo Picardi, Corporate Director of Operations and Quality Assurance, MDM Hotel Group 
• Jamil Dib, Co-founder and Co-owner of Vida & Estilo Restaurant Group (V&E Restaurant Group)

3:50 pm | Cruise Lines panel: “Sustainability of culinary operations”  

In recent years, the cruise line industry has been navigating towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Cruise-goers are increasingly seeking healthier and environmentally conscious dining choices while cruise companies have refined operational improvements and cut food waste and costs. 

• Fabio Scaglione, Senior Director Food & Beverage Operations, Celebrity Cruises
• Levi Mezick, Director, Culinary Program Development, Virgin Voyages
• Daniele Salamone, Director of Beverage Operations, Celebrity Cruises

4:00pm-6:00pm | TRADE SESSION (F&B PROFESSIONALS ONLY)

Trade-only Networking in the expo area with Florida’s F&B importers/distributors, chefs, restaurateurs, and gourmet market owners.

6:00pm-8:30pm | GRAND TASTING FOR A SELECTED PUBLIC OF FOOD LOVERS

While tasting authentic Italian products and signature dishes, guests will have the opportunity to get to know more closely Italian culture and culinary tradition.

6:45 pm | GOURMET EXPERIENCE

Don’t miss the FRESH PASTA MASTERCLASS sponsored by Nonna Enterprises. Join Italian grandmothers for a genuine cooking experience.  

Buy your ticket for the Grand Tasting:

TICKET: $ 68/ per person

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS REGISTRATION

IF YOU ARE AN IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR, RESTAURATEUR, CHEF, GOURMET MARKET OWNER,WINE SHOP OWNER, AND HOSPITALITY BUYER.

YOU ARE KINDLY INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT TRADE-ONLY SESSION:

Important note: industry professionals are guaranteed complimentary entrance to the event upon arrival before 5:00 pm