In the true spirit of Bellavita Expo, Bellavita will be hosting a series of informative masterclasses and panels at their three-day tradeshow in Warsaw. Working in conjunction with WorldFood Warsaw , world-respected and renowned chefs and sommeliers will be gathering at the pop-up Bellavita Food & Wine Academy from 11 to 13 April at Bellavita Expo, on the exclusive Italian Pavilion stage to demonstrate and discuss the latest trends in Italian cuisine, exclusive recipes and trade secrets and the fifth annual Bellavita Awards will be debuting to the Polish market.

Overseeing the event will be our “Resident Chef” Umberto Vezzoli and Vice-President of the Sommelier Polish Tomasz Kolecki , both connoisseurs in the food and beverage industry.

Internationally renowned chef, Umberto is the patron of T. Bistrot by Vezzoli in the heart of Milan, a short walk from the beautiful Piazza Duomo. Over the course of the show, Umberto will delight the palates of visitors, providing a series of unique recipes ranging from appetisers to dessert. Be sure not to forget his mouthwatering signature dish, comprising of spaghetti “alla Gricia” with truffle carpaccio. Through these recipes, Umberto will appeal directly to Generation Y, providing a comprehensive guide to the current trends of Italian cuisine; and what should be expected for 2018.

Meanwhile, the vice president of the Polish Sommelier Association, and Chairman of the Training Commission of the Polish Sommelier Association, Tomasz Kolecki will be joining us to discuss the trends and recommendations within the beverage industry. Having quickly established himself as one of the most respected and recognised sommeliers in Poland, Tomasz will be taking the opportunity to present a two stage masterclass, dedicated to Italian wine trends, discussing their special features and individual characteristics, demonstrating the extraordinary diversity of Italian wines, including the promotion of flagship labels of this year’s exhibitors. In addition, Tomasz will moderate the Bellavita Wine Conference Talk, opening a dialogue for buyers and a series of top wine professionals, to broaden visitors’ understanding of the shift in artisan and authentic Italian wines as used in the Polish market.

This year’s headline act will be Andrea Camastra , owner of the Senses restaurant in Warsaw, one of only two restaurants to be recognised in Poland, with a prestigious Michelin star. Andrea was crowned the overall winner for ‘Chef of the Year 2017’ and ‘Chef of the Future 2015’ by the Gault & Millau guide, and Senses was further awarded a place as one of the top fifty restaurants worldwide in 2016, as part of The Dinner Club’s ’50 Best Discovery Series’. Andrea will be speaking on the 12th of April, about how Poland has embraced the need and desires for Italian cuisine, with a medley of his famous and debuting dishes.

Also debuting at this year’s exhibition will be Polish chefs Pawel Zielinski and Marzena Gromelska , head chefs of the Pod Gigantami and Chianti Kregliccy retrospectively. Pawel is Master of Culinary Arts and Head Chef at Pod Gigantami, a respected Michelin 4-fork-spoon Restaurant in the heart of Warsaw. Whereas, Marzena has worked at Chianti Kregliccy since the restaurant opened in 1997, accompanying the former Italian heads chefs, becoming taking up the post, where she is still stationed today. “Accademia della Cucina Italiana” awarded the restaurant for being very faithful to traditional Italian cuisine and for its respect towards authentic Italian products. Chianti Kregliccy was also awarded by the prestigious Gault & Millau guide. Both chefs will be demonstrating the growth of fine Italian cuisine looking at the importance of Italian cheeses and “primi piatti”.

Finally, the annual Bellavita Awards Ceremony will make its Warsaw debut in 2017. Hosted by Bellavita’s Award Co-ordinator Enrico Longobucco, the awards will showcase the products and suppliers who demonstrate the excellence of Italy. The overall recognition and results are chosen by an independent panel of up to 150 high-profile food and beverage professionals and experts. Our judges look and select the best and bespoke brands, to encourage fellow producers to strive towards success.

Here is a rundown of the full itinerary, over the course of the three days:

AGENDA

TUESDAY 11 APRIL

Umberto Vezzoli

“La Mia Gricia”: My Scrumptious Masterpiece

Start: 11.00am – Finish: 11.45am

Pawel Zielinski

Italy: The Land of Cheese

Start: 12.30pm – Finish: 1.15pm

Starita Pizza Academy

The Real Neapolitan Pizza

Start: 2.00pm – Finish: 2.45pm

Tomasz Kolecki

Italian Wine and Beverage Trends – Part I

Start: 3.30pm – Finish: 4.15pm

WEDNESDAY 12 APRIL

Umberto Vezzoli

Antipasti: Variations on the Theme of Charcuterie

Start: 11.00am – Finish: 11.45am

Andrea Camastra

When the Italian Cuisine Seduces the Polish Taste

Start: 12.15am – Finish: 1.15am

Marzena Gromelska

Primi Piatti: There is Much More Beyond Spaghetti.

Start: 2.00pm – Finish: 2.45pm

Wine Buyer Talk , Chaired by: Tomasz Kolecki

What are the New Wine Market Trends in Poland?

Start: 3.30pm – Finish: 4.15pm

THURSDAY 13 APRIL

Tomasz Kolecki

Italian Wine and Beverage Trends – Part II

Start: 11.15am – Finish: 12.00pm

Umberto Vezzoli

Unconventional Dessert

Start: 12.30pm – Finish: 1.15pm

Bellavita Awards Warsaw 2017 Ceremony

Start: 2.00pm – Finish: 2.30pm