Excellence Food Innovation

An event that tells the story of Italian food from every angle

Excellence Food Innovation is one of the most recognizable food and wine events in the Municipality of Rome and the entire Lazio Region. Originally conceived as a showcase for Italian agri-food excellence, it has evolved over the years into a unique hybrid format: not just a trade fair with stands and tasting counters, but also a congress featuring speakers, panels, and masterclasses. It is this dual identity—both commercial and cultural—that sets it apart from other industry exhibitions.

From the Stadio Olimpico to the Officine Farneto

For several editions, the event was hosted in the underground spaces of the Stadio Olimpico at the Foro Italico, an unusual choice that made it a near-unique case in the Italian exhibition landscape. Since 2025, the event has moved to the Officine Farneto, a former industrial plant converted into an event space on Via dei Monti della Farnesina, near the Flaminio district. The new venue, more flexible and spread across multiple rooms, has allowed for expanded thematic areas and the ability to host exhibitions, demonstration kitchens, and conference halls simultaneously.

What to expect at the fair

The exhibition path highlights products that tell the story of Italy's diverse territories. In the most recent edition, Roma Capitale brought twenty-three companies from the Rome metropolitan area to the fair as part of the « Cibo è » project, testifying to the close bond between the event and Lazio's agriculture.

• Italian wines and sparkling wines;
• craft beers, liqueurs, and spirits;
• extra virgin olive oils, honey, and organic preserves;
• cheeses, cured meats, and small-batch dairy products;
• flours, artisanal pasta, and baked goods;
• equipment and technological solutions for professional catering.

The congress: discussing the future of the food industry

The congress segment is the core identity of Excellence. The first few days are traditionally dedicated to major industry themes: food and wine tourism, supply chain sustainability, health and nutrition, and the relationship between cuisine and technology. There is no shortage of institutional debates on urban food policies, with administrators from various Italian cities invited to discuss food as a matter of regional governance.

Pastry Exhibition and awards

Among the innovations that have marked the event's recent evolution is the Pastry Exhibition, a section dedicated to high-end pastry making that occupies the final days with demonstrations, meetings, and masterclasses led by top professionals. During the event, lifetime achievement awards are presented to prominent figures in Italian cuisine, and professional competitions in the world of gelato take place.

Who is it for?

Excellence Food Innovation speaks to a dual audience. On one hand, industry professionals—restaurateurs, pastry chefs, buyers, distributors, and trade journalists—who find it an opportunity for professional development and networking. On the other hand, food enthusiasts, who can access the event with a ticket to browse tasting counters, follow cooking shows, and meet producers directly. This openness to the general public makes the event particularly interesting for those visiting Rome in autumn who are looking for a gastronomic experience beyond the usual restaurant circuit.

Rome, capital of taste

The event fits into an increasingly rich Roman autumn calendar dedicated to food. The choice of November is no coincidence: it is the month when symbolic seasonal products hit the market—new oil, truffles, chestnuts, the first artisanal panettoni—and when the Italian restaurant industry takes stock of the year just concluded. For the Lazio Region, which showcases quality products from the Castelli Romani to Tuscia and Ciociaria, it is a premier showcase.