Sicilian Experience: second edition a resounding success

The event, conceived by Giovanni Porretto , executive chef of the Hotel Hermitage Relais & Châteaux and vice president of Euro-Toques Italia, by Natale Di Maria , chef patron of Villa Boscogrande and regional delegate of Euro-Toques Italia, together with the integrated communications and marketing agency Innova Adv , took place on October 29th in the eighteenth-century Villa Boscogrande in Palermo and was a tribute to Sicily in the year in which the island was awarded the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2025 , an award that celebrates the agri-food and cultural excellence of the area.

Over the course of the evening, more than 1,100 guests —including journalists, industry professionals, enthusiasts, and institutional representatives such as the Honorable Mario Giambona , Dario Cartabellotta , Director General of the Sicilian Region's Department of Productive Activities, and Pietro Alongi , Councilor for the Environment of the City of Palermo—experienced a unique tasting experience. Over 40 dishes created by Sicilian chefs were offered at stations set up between the garden and the villa's elegant frescoed rooms, accompanied by around 100 wines selected by the Le Donne del Vino association, local beers, and products from around 20 food and wine producers. Adding to the atmosphere was the participation of the Bella Époque Association , which enchanted those in attendance with splendid 19th-century costumes, making the evening an immersive experience of history and flavor.

" A great success beyond our expectations ," commented Giovanni Porretto, " so I can only thank all my colleagues who contributed to the evening's success with such enthralling enthusiasm. The conference that preceded the evening was also, for me, a highlight for the topics covered, especially healthy eating as a lifestyle, and for the positive manner in which they were addressed . But what makes me even more proud," adds Porretto, "is that, thanks to the collaboration of the Palermo chapter of the Committee of Patronesses of the National Infantry Association , we were also able to make a concrete contribution to our local area: a donation of €1,000 that will be donated to the Pediatric Emergency Department of the ARNAS Cristina Benfratelli Civic Hospital for the purchase of early childhood equipment to support the young patients hospitalized there ."

Andrea Geraci , CEO & Creative Director of Innova Adv, also expressed great satisfaction: “ The second edition of Sicilian Experience was a real success ,” he commented, “exceeding all our wildest expectations and confirming how much the city of Palermo deserves and desires more and more events of this kind. In one evening, chefs, wineries, and companies triumphed, elevating Sicily's name as the European Region of Gastronomy 2025, in a tasting journey that left no doubt: Sicilian Experience will be back next year. And it will do so from October 4th to 7th with many new features, collaborations, and an even richer program of experiences and content that we are already working on. Palermo and the Sicilians responded 'Present', and we can't wait to reward them even more .”

So, see you at the third edition of Sicilian Experience from October 4th to 7th, 2026, with an even richer program and many new features that promise to celebrate, once again, Sicily as a land of gastronomic excellence.

Sponsors: Generali - Di Marco, Boston Extend, Sais Autolinee, Ganci Arredi & Design, Flyn Partners: Le Donne del Vino, Italian Chefs Federation, Regional Union of Sicilian Chefs, Provincial Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Palermo, Amira, Chaine des Rotisseurs, Disciples d'Escoffier Sicilia, Idimed, Coalvi, La Nuvola Ricamificio, Sagrim, Pitarresi Carta Imballaggi. Thanks to: Criscenti Artigiani del Gusto, Azienda Agricola Orlando, Campo dell'Oste Riso, Pastificio Minardo, Scalia Prodotti Ittici, Tartufi del Moro, Dalla Mugnaia, Union of Sicilian Olive Oil Producers, Villeroy & Boch