With global celebrities, 32 million social interactions, and institutional backing, Calabria Food Fest showcases Italy’s most undiscovered region and its vision for sustainable tourism.
Calabria Food Fest, the premier celebration of Southern Italy’s food and culture, is making its international debut at WTM London, bringing the authentic tastes, traditions, and people of Calabria to a global stage.
At WTM London, Calabria Food Fest will participate alongside Calabria Straordinaria — the official tourism brand of the Calabria Region — to showcase the region’s integrated vision of culture, food, and sustainable travel. The organizers also expressed that they look forward to continuing to collaborate with Italea, as both initiatives share the same objectives of cultural reconnection, heritage preservation, and community-based tourism.
Long overshadowed by destinations like Tuscany or Sicily, Calabria remains one of Italy’s most under-touristed and undiscovered regions — a land of breathtaking coastlines, mountain villages, and ancient culinary traditions. Through its participation at WTM, Calabria Food Fest aims to position the region as Italy’s next great cultural and gastronomic destination, while promoting a sustainable model of tourism that respects the land and local communities.
“We don’t want to become the next Venice or Capri,” says Angela Donato – Technical Director of the Festival. “Our goal is to share Calabria with the world in a way that honors our identity, preserves our territory, and ensures that growth benefits our people and culture.”
The first edition of Calabria Food Fest, held in the castle of Squillace, was financed by the Ministry of Tourism and supported in part by Italea, the national project created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Turismo delle Radici — travel experiences that reconnect Italians abroad with their ancestral roots. The festival quickly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing international attention through the participation of global stars including Zane Phillips, Mauricio Henao, Ana Lucía Domínguez, Volodymyr Testardi, and Sabrina Seara, who joined Calabrian chefs, artisans, and producers in celebrating the region’s cuisine. The event achieved over 32 million social media interactions in one week, confirming the worldwide appetite for authentic and experience-driven travel.
Adding to the occasion, Calabria Food Fest will host Giovanni Maria De Vita, Project Leader for Turismo delle Radici at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as a special guest and spokesperson. His presence highlights the growing importance of Calabria’s role in Italy’s national tourism and cultural diplomacy initiatives.
Giovanni Maria De Vita commented:
“Calabria Food Fest represents exactly the kind of initiative that embodies the spirit of Turismo delle Radici. Food is one of the most powerful ways to reconnect people with their heritage — it tells the story of who we are and where we come from. By celebrating Calabrian cuisine and its traditions on an international stage, we are strengthening the cultural bridge between Italy and the millions of Italians and descendants around the world who still feel deeply tied to their roots.”
Anthony Neal Macri, Festival Creative Director, added:
“Calabria Food Fest is more than an event — it’s a movement to rediscover and protect one of Italy’s last untouched regions. Through our collaboration with Calabria Straordinaria and our shared mission with Italea, we’re building bridges between local traditions and global audiences — ensuring that Calabria’s story is told with pride and purpose.”
About Calabria Food Fest
Calabria Food Fest is the leading culinary and cultural festival dedicated to celebrating the authentic food, wine, and traditions of Calabria, Italy. The event unites local producers, chefs, and international guests in a week-long celebration designed to promote sustainable tourism, support rural communities, and share Calabria’s unique heritage with the world.
Media contact:
Anthony Neal Macri
CFF@sognareinsiemeviaggi.com