Bellavita Expo Amsterdam 2020 is the Netherland’s largest trade show dedicated to promoting the brilliance of Mediterranean food & beverage.

Working in conjunction with Vinitaly and Cibus , Bellavita will take place from 13-15 January 2020 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, in co-location with HORECAVA . This fifth edition will see over 150 Italian exhibitors, from small artisanal producers to iconic household brands, but also a number of Spanish producers, thanks to the co-location with Ibérica Expo , providing buyers from the Benelux hospitality and retail sector with a broader Mediterranean experience than ever before.

As usual, an exceptionally varied range of goods will be there to sample, from pastas, cooking sauces, cured meats and cheeses, to coffee and organic wines. Guests will benefit from the expertise of top local chefs and head sommeliers to guide them through the latest trends in the culinary arts and the world of wine through cooking masterclasses and tasting sessions, mixing traditional ingredients and styles with modern sensibilities and approaches, all while enjoying authentic, freshly crafted pizzas from the pizzaioli of the Bellavita Pizza Academy .

Bellavita Expo Amsterdam will open with an exclusive ceremony, in partnership with The Italian Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands , awarding certifications to over 50 authentic Netherlands-based Italian restaurants, at an event open to the press on day one of the Expo, at 11:00 on Monday 13 January. Likewise, Bellavita Expo is proud to also partner with the Federazione Italiana Cuochi in the Netherlands , with 40 members of the association lending their expertise to this year’s proceedings.

The masterclass agenda of 2020’s show will focus on introducing a modern twist to Italy's varied regional cuisines, with an eye to the wider Mediterranean basin. Particularly, day two of the Expo is devoted to the Bellavita Labs , a series of expert-led educational workshops, exploring the latest innovations in Italian and Mediterranean food and wine. Here, guests will learn from sessions at the Pasta Making Lab , the Olive Oil Lab , the Vegan Lab , and the Wine & Food Pairing Lab , which will pair three of the most popular and accessible Italian wines with international finger foods, led by wine expert Janna Rijpma Meppelink .

At the Bellavita Olive Oil Lab, guests will have the opportunity to learn the art of extra-virgin olive oil tasting, and how to match different oils with the right dishes. The tasting will be hosted by Francesca De Ritis , professional olive oil taster & trainer for the Organizzazione Nazionale Assaggiatori Olio di Oliva (ONAOO).

Expert chefs confirmed to be leading cooking masterclasses at this year’s Expo include Nicoletta Tavella , founder of La Cucina del Sole, the largest school of Italian cooking in the Netherlands, returning as Bellavita’s Resident Chef; Mario Loina , executive chef at the five-star hotel Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, and celebrity chefs including Giovanni D'Apice , debuting exclusive recipes from his upcoming cookbook Risotto, Antonella Barbella , leading the Pasta Making Lab, and the “farmer-chef” Peppe Zullo , who will lead the Vegan Lab, and a masterclass on free-from Italian cooking on day three.

The three-day event will culminate once again with the iconic Bellavita Awards , recognising the excellence of some of the many products on display, based on the assessment of over 200 VIP Judges – some of the Netherland’s most significant industry buyers and figures. Last year’s big winners were Bono – Olea Mundi ’s L’Eremita extra virgin olive oil, winner of best food product, while best beverage product was awarded to Amaracmand ’s 2018 Tranquèl Sangiovese Rubicone IGP.

Bellavita Expo Amsterdam is one of nine trade shows hosted by Bellavita annually across the world, bringing Mediterranean excellence to London, Chicago, Toronto, Bangkok, Hamburg, Warsaw, Mexico City and Guangzhou. Thanks to this year’s expanded product offering and expert insight, Bellavita promises to deliver guests its most comprehensive experience yet.

Tickets are available for Bellavita Expo Amsterdam 2020 here and valid for all HORECAVA pavilions.