Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Taste of Italy in Houston (February 25-26, 2024), making it the biggest and best gathering in the event’s 10-year history!
Click here to see an album of photos from the fair.
On Sunday evening, we were pleased to welcome panelists Tom Dobson, Italian wine buyer for Spec’s, one of the largest wine retailers in the country; Cecilia Ercolino, owner of Italian Products and Beyond, a leading importer of top Italian food products and wines; Jaime De Leon, national food and wine buyer for the Kroger group of supermarkets; and Joe Monastero, COO of the Texas Restaurant Association, a trade group that represents the fastest growing restaurant community in the nation.
Moderated by wine writer and educator Jeremy Parzen, panelists were asked to share their thoughts on how to navigate the current challenges of bringing Italian foods and wines to the U.S.
Each panelist discussed their insights for the Italian exhibitors who had traveled to Houston for the fair.
The IACC was also pleased to welcome the honorable General Consul Mauro Lorenzini who also shared his remarks with exhibitors.
On Monday, more than 350 people attended the grand tasting where more than 90 exhibitors presented more than 400 products.
Christian Di Sanzio, the Italian parliamentary representative for Italians citizens living in North America was also in attendance.
This year’s fair also marked the launch of a new partnership between with the trade group Simply Italian.
Monday’s events also included the Italian Wine Ambassador Sommelier Competition, a Simply Italian Pinot Grigio seminar, and the popular Texas BBQ and Italian Wines seminar. Stay tuned for notes on the seminars.
And thanks again to the entire Taste of Italy team and all the Houston- and Texas-based food and wine professionals who participated. Stay tuned for more notes from the fair.
