Looking back, even just a few seasons, I can hardly believe these results. Even though I witness firsthand the dedication and meticulous effort our team puts into organizing and promoting Taste every day… As extraordinary as these numbers are, they don’t fully convey the atmosphere at the Fortezza over the past few days. You had to be there to truly understand it. The most rewarding aspect for me was the lively energy, the joy of working and networking, and the sense of mutual respect and curiosity at every table – between producers and their potential or long-standing customers, as well as among exhibitors themselves. I believe that our approach to setup, graphics, curation, product category rotation, services, and educational opportunities plays a key role, but the truth is that this is an industry defined by remarkable human qualities. I am especially pleased that Minister Lollobrigida shared this experience with us – engaging with numerous exhibitors, listening to their stories, acknowledging their challenges, and encouraging their ambitions for growth, bringing government attention to the event, alongside Undersecretary La Pietra. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Florence’s Mayor, Sara Funaro, and the President of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, who were also here to show institutional support.

— Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine

Each year, we refine the event by carefully listening to the needs of exhibitors and buyers. In recent months, we received numerous applications for first-time participation – many of which deserved a positive response – but we need to grow wisely and gradually. The experience and expertise we have developed, also thanks to the invaluable contribution of Davide Paolini, are crucial in ensuring that new selections maintain the event’s high standards of quality and identity. Taste 2025, much like constellations – the theme that inspired this edition – has once again fostered connections and fresh pairings capturing the most dynamic trends in the market and contemporary food culture. International expansion was one of our key objectives, and the results of this edition are significant. This success is also due to our strong collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ICE Agency, which enabled us to bring a highly qualified group of international operators to the Fortezza. I’d also like to highlight the enthusiasm and praise for this edition’s special events and focuses – including the focus on heroic wines from extreme territories, Spirits, the engaging discussions of Taste Talks and Taste Rings curated by Paolini, and all the presentations at the UniCredit Taste Arena. Additionally, the nearly 70 events throughout Florence as part of FuoriDiTaste were incredibly well attended, proving to be increasingly original and well-curated, showcasing our exhibitors in some of the city's most special locations.

— Agostino Poletto, General Director of Pitti Immagine