The Week of Italian Cuisine 2025 in Serbia

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World took place from the 17th to 23rd November, 2025.

This global initiative, established by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, aims to promote the excellence of “Made in Italy” products and the richness of Italian culinary tradition.

During this special week, Serbia also hosted a variety of events dedicated to Italian gastronomy, culture, and lifestyle.
And honestly, who can resist the aroma of authentic Italian dishes paired with outstanding wines?

Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, 2025

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is one of the most inspiring international programs.

Launched in 2016 as a legacy of Expo Milan 2015, it has since grown into a true global celebration. Over 10,000 events have been organised across more than 100 countries, showcasing Italy’s culinary heritage through tastings, masterclasses, cooking shows, exhibitions, conferences, and business events.

In 2025, the Week of Italian Cuisine marks its 10th anniversary. This year’s theme, “Italian Cooking: Culture, Health and Innovation”, reflects the enduring values and contemporary evolution of Italian cuisine.

Italy has also submitted its world-famous cuisine for inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, with the decision expected in New Delhi from the 8th to 13th of December, 2025. To support the candidacy, famous artists Al Bano and Mogol created the official anthem “Vai Italia”, celebrating the emotional power and cultural beauty of Italian food.

The Week of Italian Cuisine in Serbia

Italian culture, gastronomy, and wine were also warmly celebrated in Serbia, where visitors had the opportunity to taste, learn, and immerse themselves in Italy’s culinary world.

The program in Serbia was officially presented at a press conference on the 17th November at the Palilula Market in Belgrade.

Luca Gori, the Ambassador of Italy to Serbia, introduced this year’s program through five key pillars: culture, solidarity, quality, togetherness, and professionalism.
The initiative is promoted by the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade, in cooperation with the ICE Belgrade Agency, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen, Confindustria Serbia, and several Serbian companies.

After the press conference, the representatives and guests continued the gathering at the Figo restaurant in the market, where they enjoyed a tasting of exquisite Italian wines.

So, take a look at some of the events that were held in Serbia during this special culinary week.

Press conference, the Week of Italian Cuisine 2025, Belgrade

📷 Culture events

The Week of Italian Cuisine opened on Monday, the 17th of November, with the exhibition “Mangiare con gli occhi” (“Eating with the Eyes”). Photographs celebrating Italian food were displayed in the hall of Palazzo Italia, at Kneza Miloša 56 in Belgrade.

Luca Gori, the Ambassador of Italy to Serbia, inaugurated the exhibition featuring works by four Italian artists who portrayed food in diverse and imaginative settings.

Luisa Valieri, one of Italy’s most renowned food photographers, showcased her dessert-themed photographs taken in front of Genoa’s historic palaces and charming streets.

ICE Belgrado, Exhibition “Mangiare con gli occhi”, photos by Luisa Valieri

Mauro Turatti presented artistic compositions of local ingredients with a gourmet twist, captured in the landscapes of various Italian regions.

Exhibition “Mangiare con gli occhi”, photos by Mauro Turatti

The works of Francesco Rucci and Francesco Marinelli explored the idea of “Future Food”, blending gastronomy, nature, and emerging technologies.

Photos of Future Food, by Francesco Rucci and Francesco Marinelli

The connection between Italian cuisine and cinema was highlighted with a free screening of the film “All the women of my life” (“Tutte le donne della mia vita“), directed by Simona Izzo. The film was shown on Tuesday, the 18th of November, at the Belgrade Youth Centre Cinema.

 Italian Cuisine & Solidarity

Several food-related events took place during the Week of Italian Cuisine, because food truly brings people together, doesn’t it?

🍕 Popular pizzerias, including Pietra, Crazy Pizza, Majstor i Margarita, and Giovanni’s, organised pizza-making workshops for young people from the Children’s Shelter, the Save the Children organisation, the Veljko Ramadanović School for Hearing Impaired Students and the Down Syndrome Association in Belgrade.

In cooperation with UNHCR Serbia and Chef Francesco Nikolai, a special dinner featuring Italian dishes was prepared by students of the Hospitality and Tourism School, together with young refugees living in Serbia.

🫒 The Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen (CCIS) and the company La Strada delle Delizie organised an expert workshop dedicated to tasting the extra virgin olive oils.

Chefs Rosaria Napoli and Isabella Catalano also shared the secrets of Italian cuisine through a series of lectures held for students of the College of Hotel Management. One of their masterclasses, “Tastes of Sicily”, was dedicated to Serbian culinary professionals at the Metro HoReCa Centre.

Also, the company Shoppster Srbija, in collaboration with Confindustria Serbia, promoted Italian food, tableware and home appliances on its online platform during the Week of Italian Cuisine.

“Sapori d’Italia” at Aroma market

In cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade and the company Domaća trgovina, ICE Belgrade Agency launched the promotional campaign “Sapori d’Italia” (Tastes of Italy).

The event officially opened on the 19th November at the Aroma Market in Savska 28, Belgrade.
Representatives of Italian and Serbian institutions attended the event, including Luca Gori, the Italian Ambassador, Antonio Ventresca, the director of the ICE Belgrade Agency, representatives of Domaća trgovina, and members of the media.

Guests and shoppers had the chance to taste authentic Italian products and specialities prepared by Chef Daniele Moretti, who arrived from Rome specifically for this occasion.

The campaign promoting authentic “Made in Italy” brands will run until the end of April 2026.

The Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade, Palilulska pijaca, Italian products, Aroma market

🍷🍇 The Italian Wine Night

The second Italian Wine Night was held on the 20th of November at the Palilula Market, organised by the ICE Belgrade Agency, the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade, and JKP Beogradske pijace.

Visitors enjoyed a selection of exceptional Italian wines in the unique, authentic atmosphere of the Belgrade market hall.

The Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade, Palilulska pijaca, Italian wines

 

DJ Begefunk added to the spirit of the evening with a playlist of famous Italian hits, creating a cheerful and relaxed ambience.

The Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade, Palilulska pijaca

 

 

🍷🍷 Wine Vision by Open Balkan Fair 2025

The fourth edition of Wine Vision by Open Balkan, one of the largest wine and gastronomy fairs in Europe, took place from the 22nd to the 25th of November at the Belgrade Fair.

In collaboration with ICE Belgrade Agency, Vinitaly, and Verona Fiere, 67 Italian wine companies showcased their finest wines at the impressive Italian pavilion, spread over 1,000 m2, in Hall 2c.

Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, Italian pavilion

Antonio Ventreska, the director of the ICE Office in Belgrade, emphasised that Italy remains the leading wine supplier in Serbia and continues to strengthen its position on the local market.

Visitors had the chance to taste wines from Italian regions, including Veneto, Apulia, Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, and Abruzzo.

Italian wines on the Italian pavilion, Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, Belgrade

🍷 Italian Wine Masterclasses

During the Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair, six Wine Masterclasses were held on the Italian pavilion. They were led by Dejan Živkoski, president of the Association of Sommeliers of Serbia (SERSA), who presented the wines of Italian producers.

Thanks to the invitation of ITA Belgrado, I had a great opportunity to enjoy the Masterclass held on the first day of the fair.

Wine Vision by Open Balkan 2025, Masterclass, Italian pavilion

It was a real pleasure to taste several fantastic wines from the terroir of Friuli Venezia Giulia, including Pinot Grigio, Pinot Grigio Ramato, Friulano, Collio, Sauvignon Blanc, Obiz and  Schioppettino.

Italian wines presented at one of the ITA Masterclasses

🥂 🍇 Some interesting wines…

All the Italian wines I tasted were truly fantastic!
But if I had to choose a favourite, it could be the following three wines.

♦ Ferrari Brut (Cantine Ferrari) is a white wine made from Chardonnay grapes from Trentino, with a fresh flavour. It is Italy’s most awarded sparkling wine, and the official sparkling wine of Formula 1, as well 🤩

Ferrari wines, the Italian Wine Night, 2025, Belgrade

◊ The sparkling Pizzolato organic wines also have a non-alcoholic line. The flavour is delicate and refreshing, perfect for summer days and cocktails. And the bottles are beautifully designed. In fact, the bottles are so stylish that they can easily serve as a decorative piece in any home 🙂

Pizzolato wines

♦ Gavi di Gavi Toledana is a specific type of high-quality dry white wine from the Piedmont region. The taste is fresh, with fruits, flowers, almonds, and citrus notes. By the way, the company got its name from the historic villa built in the first half of the 16th century by the noble Genoese Imperiale family.

Gavi di Gavi Toledana Italian wine

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World

All these events together form a significant chapter in the promotion of Italian wine and gastronomic culture on the Serbian market, further strengthening the cultural and economic connections between Italy and Serbia.

They highlight a journey through culture, health, and innovation, celebrating the very best of “Made in Italy”.

Cin cin 🤩

Italian wines