Bellavita Expo 2019 + The European Pizza & Pasta Show 2019
The Bellavita Expo 2019 was held on 7-8th November at the Design Centre, Islington, London. The European Pizza & Pasta Show 2019 was held shortly afterwards on the 13-15th November at Olympia, London. These almost back-to-back events provided an opportunity to discover some of the finest Italian and Mediterranean food and beverages. In this review I will highlight some of my favourite products, important Italian food UK suppliers and scenes from the shows.
First of all, the beverages!
An excellent prosecco tastings presentation was given at Bellavita Expo by Flavio Geretto and Diva Morettii Pelagato, from Villa Sandi . Villa Sandi is a leading Italian producer of DOCG prosecco, having a a superb range of prosecco including the prestigious Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Di Cartizze ‘Vigna La Rivetta’ DOCG. Their Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Millesimato, is very much to my personal taste – superb!
Menabrea Birra Biona, ABV 4.8% a perfect premium pale lager to go with Italian food. Another beer of note: Birrificio Angelo Poretti, shown at Bellavita Expo . Their stronger beer, Poretti 8 ABV 5.5%, is brewed with eight different hop varieties giving a smooth, light-bodied beer with citrusy notes.
A high quality range of grappa was presented by Distilleria Artigianale Nardecchia from Arce, Lazio. Stylish and smooth grappa, their Fiamma is particularly fine.
A good range of Sicilian cheeses from Agricola F.lli Galati. Their wonderful Cannoli filled with Ricotta cream cheese, was superb.
Bellavita Expo award-winning crunchy breadsticks from i Bibanesi, here at the Delitalia stand (EPPS). I especially liked the i Bibanesi ‘con olio extra vergine di oliva’ flavour.
Neopolitan master millers Caputo produce a great range of flours, and their Caputo Nuvola Super Flour is my personal favourite for pizza.
London-based La Tua Pasta with a good display of pasta products.
I fine range of Italian countryside artsisan meat products on display, from Cibosano.
Il Gelato Di Ariela, award-wining gelato and sorbetto suppliers. Always some exciting flavours from this London-based artisanal maker.
UK food service and suppliers of Italian food, beverages and ingredients included: Bellavita, Carnvale, Casa Julia and Delitalia.
A wonderful food demonstration was given by masterchef Enzo Oliveri, who enlightened the audience with special techniques for cooking the perfect Arancini.
Looking forward to next year!
© 2019 Dr Robert Frew. All rights reserved