Welcome to Turin

‘Foods that change the world’ is the slogan behind Slow Food’s biggest international event – Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre taking place in Turin over October 25-29 – in recognition of the collective power of the hundreds of responsible small-scale food producers, chefs and experts who will gather for these five days. Arriving with their stories, products and passion from around the world, they will present a one-of-a-kind experience of the world of food and wine, allowing visitors to discover different cultures and the knowledge and skills behind food production that offers a better future.

For the first time, visitors have full access to all parts of the event, which was previously closed partly to official delegates. Here is a run-down on what is happening, with Slow Food members able to take advantage of the 50% discount on entrance fees (30 euros for a five-day pass instead of 60), 20% discounts on the bookable events and 30% discount on books.

Inside the main exhibition hall, three pavilions (1,2&3) will be dedicated to the Italian Marketplace, with over 200 Slow Food Presidia products and hundreds of exhibitors organized by region. Each region will offer some their specialty dishes in ‘osterias’, giving you the chance to experience authentic cuisines from across the peninsula in just a few days, and will also present an overarching theme developed by the local Slow Food network, such as olive oil production, food education or traditional winemakers.

Next door, the Oval Olympic Arena will host the International Marketplace, where hundreds more unique products can be sampled and Slow Food’s projects and campaigns around the world will be on display. Regional areas will highlight their key focus: a 400 square meter food garden will take center place in the African exhibition area to commemorate the Thousand Gardens in Africa project, while the Balkans area will feature four different biodiversity ‘paths’ to discover this little-known region’s gastronomic treasures. Producers representing six of the Earth Markets (Slow Food’s network of good, clean and fair markets) will also be in this area, and the buzzing street food area will serve up specialties from around the world – the original fast food.

Food education is at the core of the whole event, with fun educational experiences for children and adults. The bookable events are translated into Italian and English and are at a 20% discount for Slow Food members. They include the Taste Workshops, Slow Food’s iconic guided tastings led by producers, chefs, winemakers, brewers and experts; the Theater of Taste, where you can watch chefs from around the world at work and hear their tips and secrets while tasting their dishes; Master of Food “Horticulture” and “Cooking Without Waste” sessions that will pass on useful advice for sustainable consumption and production; and Meetings with the Makers, ten appointments in an intimate setting with great figures from the international food and wine world.

There is also a series of free Conferences, which bring together experts and practitioners to discuss pressing issues for a healthy food system: from climate change and urban agriculture to animal welfare, biodiversity and Indigenous peoples and local food sovereignty.

At the end of the day, don’t forget the Enoteca, a spectacle of more than 1,200 Italian wines, many reviewed in Slow Food Editore’s Slow Wine guide, to sample before you head of to one of the Dinner Dates prepared by an international selection of chefs in restaurants in Turin and the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, for a simple dinner visit the Pizza Piazza, where the best Neapolitan-style pizza will showcase Presidia ingredients, washed down with artisanal Italian beers.

Download the full program or browse all the events.

Book Now!
Places are limited for the Taste Workshops, Theatre of Taste, Meetings with the Makers, Master of Food and Dinner Date events, so booking is essential.
The deadline for online bookings is October 18, 2012. Bookings cannot be made by telephone. Any remaining places can be booked during the event.
Have a look at the calendar and book your events early.

Slow Food Member Discounts
Slow Food members receive various discounts at the event: half price entrance tickets, 20% discount on bookable events and 30% discount on Slow Food books and merchandise.
Join us today!

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