Madrid, October 20, 2025 – Following the success of its first edition, The Italian Show returned to the Spanish capital for a second, extraordinary edition that confirmed Madrid as a strategic stop for the promotion of Made in Italy. Organized by I Love Italian Food in collaboration with the Federazione Italiana Cuochi España (FIC España) and FACYRE (Federación de Asociaciones de Cocineros y Reposteros de España), the event transformed the spaces of the Hotel Meliá Princesa into a stage for dialogue, training, and gastronomic culture—where Italy and Spain met under the banner of authenticity and creativity.
The official opening was marked by the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by representatives of Italian institutions in Spain—including the Embassy of Italy in Madrid, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), and Com.It.Es. Madrid—who highlighted the value of initiatives like The Italian Show in promoting economic diplomacy through food culture.
The Tasting Show Madrid was the beating heart of the event, where leading figures of Italian and Spanish gastronomy alternated on stage, intertwining languages and ingredients in a shared narrative of flavor.
Opening the demonstrations, Chef Gennaro Esposito, holder of two Michelin stars, dedicated his masterclass to the Italian tomato, a symbol of Mediterranean cuisine, in collaboration with Ciao – Il Pomodoro di Napoli. Through his sensitivity and technique, Esposito demonstrated how a humble ingredient can become the absolute protagonist of haute cuisine.
Among the most acclaimed moments was the reinterpretation of carbonara by Manfredi Bosco (Executive Chef at Sottosopra Madrid and President of FIC España) and Nino Redruello (Chef Patron of Grupo La Ancha and President of FACYRE): a meeting of Italian and Spanish traditions, where carbonara and tortilla merged into a symbolic dish celebrating the egg as a point of union between two culinary cultures.
Innovation continued with the creation of the Rosa de Bacalao Barquero, a dish conceived by Davide Bonato (Ristorante Gioia Madrid) and Iñaki Gorrotxategui (Casa Julián de Tolosa), combining the flavors of the Cantabrian and Tyrrhenian seas in a balance of sweetness and salinity.
To close the program, the Cocineros Campesinos from the Fondazione Campagna Amica presented their creations dedicated to rural Italian cuisine, showcasing the most authentic soul of Made in Italy: seasonality, short supply chains, and the valorization of regional excellence.
In parallel, the Pizza Show captivated professional audiences with a selection of masterclasses that showcased Italian pizza in all its contemporary forms. From Simone Fortunato and his light, crispy doughs to Vittorio Figurato with his double-cooked fried pizza, and Ciro Cristiano’s surprising pizza al padellino made with cocoa. Raquel Perramon and Gonzalo Infante (Infraganti Pizza Bar and Fraganti Gelato) presented “Italy and Spain in One Pizza”, a dialogue between two gastronomic cultures combining the creaminess of Italian stracciatella with the intensity of Galician blonde cow beef and the character of Andalusian payoyo cheese.
Meanwhile, Mirco Mattiello (Ristorante Pizzería Reginella), in collaboration with Igor Gorgonzola, presented “North/South”, a meeting between Gorgonzola DOP and Calabrian ’Nduja celebrating the balance between northern and southern Italy. Vittorio Squaranti (Araldo) presented La Pluma de Araldo, symbol of the Veronese school, and Antonio Varriale closed with La Vesuviana, a tribute to Neapolitan identity, in collaboration with Latteria Sorrentina.
Alongside the culinary demonstrations, the Talks Stage offered an agora of exchange and inspiration for professionals and institutions. The first discussion, titled “Women and Gastronomy: Leadership, Talent, and New Perspectives”, highlighted the growing role of women in the food and wine world, with contributions from Nicoletta Negrini, Raquel Perramon, and María José San Román, who shared experiences and reflections on the value of diversity in renewing the sector.
Later, the panel “Beyond Pizza and Pasta: The Challenge of Italian Fine Dining in Spain” explored the evolution of Italian restaurants toward excellence and innovation, with the participation of Massimo Arienti, Diego Olmedilla, and Daniela Rosso. The final session, “Gastronomy and Food Tourism: New Trends in the Spanish Market”, delved into the dynamics between tourism, culture, and territorial promotion—confirming how Italian cuisine remains a privileged ambassador of soft power and economic diplomacy.
Between the two stages, Madrid experienced an intense, engaging day in which hundreds of Spanish professionals discovered authentic products and met Italian producers in a professional, educational, and networking context. The Italian Show Madrid 2025 thus proved to be not only a gastronomic event but also a platform for cultural and economic dialogue between two countries united by a shared passion: quality and conviviality.
The Italian Show – Madrid is a project organized by I Love Italian Food, in collaboration with Federazione Italiana Cuochi España and FACYRE.
With the patronage of: Embassy of Italy in Madrid, ITA – Italian Trade Agency, Com.It.Es. Madrid.
In collaboration with: Accademia Italiana della Cucina Madrid, Istituto 100% Italiano, Marcas de Restauración.
With the contribution of: Coldiretti, Fondazione Campagna Amica, Associazione Terranostra.
With the support of sponsors: Mulino Caputo, Ciao Pomodoro, Igor, Lurisia, Orogel.
Pizza Show sponsors: Mulino Caputo, Ciao Pomodoro, Latteria Sorrentina.
Technical partners: Pentole Agnelli, Izzo Forni, Mammafiore, Effeuno, Jungle, Zorzi, La Voce, Nam! Nam!.
