Sicilian Experience returns to Palermo on October 29th

On Wednesday 29 October , starting at 7.30 pm , the lights will come on at Villa Boscogrande , an eighteenth-century residence on the outskirts of Palermo, for the second edition of Sicilian Experience , the event that celebrates the gastronomic soul of the island in the year in which Sicily is officially a European Region of Gastronomy , a recognition that rewards its culinary richness, agri-food heritage and ability to innovate without losing its roots.

Born with the aim of building a model for promoting the territory that places quality , storytelling and encounters at the centre and enhances autumn tourism , Sicilian Experience is the opportunity to discover an authentic, lively and hospitable Sicily, a region that has always historically welcomed and dialogued with the world, but which remains deeply tied to its own identity.

After the great success of the 2024 edition, which attracted over 600 attendees, more than 30 chefs and dozens of participating companies, the event returns with an even richer program, thanks to the synergy between Giovanni Porretto , executive chef of the Hotel Hermitage Relais & Châteaux and Vice President of Euro-toques Italia, Natale Di Maria , chef patron of Villa Boscogrande and regional delegate of Euro-toques Italia, and Innova Adv , an integrated communications and marketing agency from Palermo.

" Sicilian Experience ," Porretto and Di Maria explain, " was created with the aim of showcasing Sicily's food and wine excellence and giving a voice to the many professionals working in the food and restaurant sectors. The ambition is to grow the event year after year, enabling Sicily to represent its excellence in international contexts dedicated to food and gastronomic culture. The success of the first edition confirmed the validity of the project, and the enthusiasm surrounding the organization of this second edition already encourages us to look forward to the future. We thank all the participants, colleagues, restaurateurs, and everyone who is working so passionately to make this event a success ."

Andrea Geraci, CEO & Creative Director of Innova Adv, continues: “ For us at Innova Adv, who over time have combined integrated communications with a growing specialization in event management and organization, Sicilian Experience represents a natural evolution of our journey. It's one of the main reasons we created this event, combining strategic creativity and organizational skills to create authentic and memorable experiences. Together with Giovanni and Natale, we oversaw every phase of the project with passion and vision, transforming communication into a tangible experience capable of generating value and real connections between people, businesses, and the region. It's a challenge we're proud to take on, because we believe that telling the story of Sicily also means contributing to its future .”

Guests will be immersed in a truly multisensory journey through the flavors of Sicily and its fascinating influences on the rest of the world. Over 40 chefs will present original dishes inspired by Sicilian tradition, reinterpreted with creativity and openness to diverse gastronomic cultures. The gastronomic journey will be accompanied by tastings. of wines, craft beers, and spirits: over 90 labels selected from top-notch wineries and producers will offer visitors the opportunity to discover the best of Sicilian winemaking and beyond.

A portion of the dinner's proceeds will be donated to the ARNAS Cristina Benfratelli Civic Hospital - Pediatric Emergency Department . The charity event was held in collaboration with the Committee of Patronesses of the National Infantry Association, Palermo Section.

Tickets for the evening of October 29th are already available online at www.sicilianexperience.it. Admission is permitted until 9:30 pm.

The evening of October 29th will be preceded by two important events :

Sunday, October 27 , 11:30 a.m., Villa Boscogrande. A press conference will be held with speakers including Giovanni Porretto, Andrea Geraci, Roberta Urso, delegate of the Sicilian Region of the Women of Wine Association, Francesca Cerami, president of Idimed (Institute for the Promotion and Valorization of the Mediterranean Diet), and Anna Di Marzo, president of the Committee of Patronesses of the National Association of Infantry, Palermo Section. Afterward, a rich buffet featuring a selection of Sicilian delicacies will be served.