- The third edition of this professional event, organised by I Love Italian Food and the Italian Federation of Chefs in Spain, will bring together some of the most influential figures in contemporary Italian gastronomy in Madrid to discuss the restaurant industry, pizza, hospitality and new trends in the sector.
- Paolo Casagrande (Lasarte, three Michelin stars), Ciro Cristiano (Baldoria), Massimiliano Delle Vedove (Smoked Room by Dani García, two stars), Massimiliano Saieva (Roman Pizza Lab) and Julio Zhang (Soy Kitchen) will lead talks, show cooking sessions and pizza shows focusing on successful models, the evolution of Italian pizza and the dialogue between culinary cultures.
- In addition, the 100% Italiano Awards are coming to Spain for the first time to recognise those who authentically represent Italian gastronomic culture beyond its borders in three categories: restaurants, pizzerias and ambassadors.
I Love Italian Food and the Italian Federation of Chefs in Spain (FIC Spain), in collaboration with FACYRE and the Istituto 100% Italiano, are once again bringing ‘The Italian Show’ to Madrid. This is a professional gathering of chefs, producers and distributors from the HORECA sector, sponsored by the Italian Embassy in Madrid, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and Com.It.Es Madrid. The event has now been held 18 times across Europe as part of a tour that has visited cities such as London, Berlin and Paris, in addition to its two previous editions in Madrid.
The event will take place on 9 June, from 11:00 to 18:00, at the Próxima Estación venue (Aniceto Marinas, 10), opposite the river, near Príncipe Pío, and will turn Madrid into a meeting point to analyse how Italian gastronomy is evolving today outside Italy: from new models of contemporary dining to the strategic role of the hospitality sector, via the global phenomenon of Italian pizza and the dialogue between tradition and creativity.
The programme of Talks, Pizza Shows and Showcookings is revealed
The programme for this third edition in Madrid will be split across two stages: one dedicated to Talks and content aimed at industry professionals; and a central stage where Showcookings and Pizza Shows will alternate, featuring Italian and Spanish chefs and pizzaioli.
One of the main figures will be Paolo Casagrande, chef at Lasarte Restaurant and an international figure with three Michelin stars, who will take part in the talk ‘Catering in hotels: a strategic asset’, focusing on how gastronomy has become a key positioning tool within the hospitality sector. Also taking part in this discussion will be Mar De Miguel, from the Madrid Hotel Business Association; Giuseppe Vincelli, from the InterContinental Madrid Hotel; and Andrea Tumbarello (Don Giovanni), raising issues related to gastronomic identity, customer experience and economic sustainability in hotel catering.
Another key focus of the event will be the analysis of successful models in contemporary catering. Ciro Cristiano, chef and founder of Baldoria and Beata Pasta, will play a prominent role here. In addition to taking part in the Talk dedicated to the winning formats in today’s restaurant industry, he will lead a masterclass alongside the Baldoria team, focusing on contemporary Neapolitan pizza, delving into the dough, the preparation processes and the creative toppings that have made their offering one of the most recognisable on the current scene.
Indeed, the evolution of Italian pizza and its international impact will form the backbone of much of the programme. Master pizzaiolo Massimiliano Saieva, founder of Roman Pizza Lab, will explore in a masterclass the global rise of Roman pizza and how this style has become one of the most interesting trends on the international scene thanks to its new contemporary interpretations. The brothers Mattias and Gioel Demaio (Demaio, in Bilbao) will also delve into the phenomenon of thin, crispy Roman pizza, one of the fastest-growing formats in new markets.
This will be complemented by a talk dedicated to the new generation of pizza makers in Spain, featuring Gennaro Arrichiello (La Regina) —recently crowned winner of Best Neapolitan Pizza 2026 and Best Classic Pizza at the Spanish Gourmet Pizza Championship—, Eric Ayala (Il figlio di Emiliano, Sabadell) and Mario Vicedomini (Pizzeria Malocchio, Madrid), representatives of a scene undergoing rapid transformation where Italian tradition, innovation and new business models coexist.
Among the most eagerly awaited sessions is also the masterclass by Massimiliano Delle Vedove, chef at Smoked Room by Dani García and holder of two Michelin stars, whose menu will be accompanied by a wine pairing led by Luis Baselga, recently recognised as Spain’s Best Sommelier 2026. For his part, Emiliano Celli (Granduke) will focus his speech on the cuisine of making the most of ingredients with “Offal without borders”.
In addition, there will be showcookings designed to foster dialogue between different gastronomic cultures, such as the four-handed collaboration between Julio Zhang (Soy Kitchen) and Davide Bonato (Gioia Restaurant), conceived to fuse Italian cuisine with other international culinary traditions.
Much more than just talks
As in previous editions, The Italian Show will once again bring together over a hundred authentic, high-quality Italian products, presented directly by producers and industry specialists, in an event designed not only as a space for learning and inspiration, but also as a professional networking hub.
Furthermore, Madrid will host the 100% Italiano Awards ceremony for the first time, organised by the Istituto 100% Italiano, which will recognise, across three categories—restaurants, pizzerias and ambassadors—those who authentically represent Italian food and wine culture outside their home country. These awards, previously presented in cities such as Paris and Berlin, honour professionals and projects that champion Italian identity through quality, respect for traditions and consistency in their daily work.
The Italian Show, which this year also has Marcas de Restauración as a partner, is aimed at Italian restaurateurs abroad, chefs, pizzaioli, trainers and food & beverage professionals who share the goal of representing Italian gastronomy with authenticity and responsibility beyond its borders.
The full programme for 9 June is updated in real time at https://iloveitalianfood.it/es/project/the-italian-show-madrid-2026-2/, where you can also book your place. Admission is free, but registration and professional accreditation are required.
The Italian Show – Madrid is a project by I Love Italian Food organised by the Italian Federation of Chefs in collaboration with FACYRE. It is sponsored by the Italian Embassy in Madrid, ICE (Italian Trade Agency) and Com.It.Es Madrid. Its partners are the Istituto 100% Italiano, Marcas de Restauración and the Accademia Italiana della Cucina; and it is made possible thanks to the support of sponsors such as Mulino Caputo, Granterre, Latteria Sorrentina, Lurisia and the technical support of Aeternum, EffeUno, Giannini, Izzo, Mammafiore, Mapfre, Piazza and Zorzi.
Source: AIRES NEWS Comunicación