In a country renowned for its culinary prowess, Rome doesn’t shy away from its gastronomic reputation. While you can indulge in the Italian capital’s tasty dining scene year-round, an annual food festival draws together countless figures in the industry for a special four-day event. Taste of Roma is the Italian version of the international restaurant carnival that takes place in many of the main cities around the world, such as London, Melbourne and Dubai.
From September 26th to the 29th, the Auditorium Parco della Musica will become the set for a mouth-watering showcase of Italian cuisine. Apart from being able to partake of cooking classes and workshops to learn tricks and secrets of fine gastronomy, you also will have the chance to try the heavenly delights prepared by 12 culinary artists, including Angelo Troiani (Il Convivio Troiani), Heinz Beck (La Pergola at Rome Cavalieri) and Andrea Fusco (Giuda Ballerino), at only 4 to 6 euros (about US$5 to US$8) a dish.
Visit the chefs’ restaurant stalls to taste delicacies such as fig of foie gras, mulled wine and wheat brioche; zucchini flowers with buffalo mozzarella, Cetara anchovies and pepper sorbet; and roasted quail with pears, ginger and green pepper. To accompany the tantalizing food, enjoy the wines of Enoteca Trimani at the Wine Bar, conveniently located next to the restaurants. The owners of Enoteca Trimani will also lead the festival’s Wines & Spirits Academy, providing guidance on matching the right drink with specific meals and dishes.
Various passes for this four-day event can be bought on the Taste of Roma website. Standard tickets cost 16 euros (about US$22) for adults and 8 euros (US$11) for children ages 5 to 13 and provide access to one session, either day or night. These tickets also allow entrance into The Lab (a recipe-making area where you’ll learn to whip up everything from brioche to biscotti), the Electrolux Taste Theatre (find out how to make the best of Electrolux kitchen tools) and the Kids Area. Prices go up to 55 euros (US$74) for a premium ticket, which includes additional benefits such as three restaurant dishes, a cookbook on Italian regional cuisine, a glass of vino from the Wine Bar, a prosecco welcome drink and more.
Just as you have a number of ticket options, you’ll have several nearby hotels to choose from; the area surrounding the venue teems with luxe spots, such as the Polo Hotel. This welcoming property is just a five-minute drive from the culinary festivities and provides rooms with everything from satellite TV to a balcony with a view of the picturesque Parioli residential neighborhood. Hotel degli Aranci — also only five minutes from the festival by car — is a beautiful villa dating back to the early 20th century, finely decorated and immersed in a lush garden of holly oaks and orange trees. Regent Hotel is a charming property only four minutes from Taste of Roma, allowing for easy access to and from the events.
Photos Courtesy of Taste Of Roma
