The second edition of GUSTO LOVERS saw the ancient village of Torri in Sovicille filled with people, allowing a diverse audience to savour the architectural and landscape beauty of the area through exceptional food and wine.
The people of an entire territory came together to welcome restaurateurs, producers, associations, institutions and enthusiasts alike, all sharing in the discovery of excellence and engaging all the senses. This collection of experiences offered the public a variety of ways to enjoy a day of flavour, conviviality, learning and insight. This event was designed for everyone: young people, adults, families, children, experts, the curious, and casual tourists alike.
The village of Torri brought together food and beverage professionals from the wider territory of Sovicille, which is part of the Terre di Siena designated tourist area. The event aimed to promote the area’s excellence in all its variety, including art, culture, history, traditions and innovation. Food and wine were the driving force, carrying every aspect of this heritage through their supply chains and expressions, and bridging the past with a constantly evolving present where excellence makes all the difference.
GUSTO LOVERS aims to celebrate the skill and knowledge deeply rooted in a territory that, through its seasonality, expresses raw materials and products with unique, identity-defining qualities that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
But food and drink are also an expression of a history and tradition that becomes ‘culture’ within the territory, celebrated and studied across many dimensions. This is the guiding theme of the 2025 edition of GUSTO LOVERS, which featured the participation of the Accademia della Crusca (a society of scholars based in Florence, specialising in Italian linguistics and philology). Despite its name, the academy opened the Masterclasses — one of this year’s new additions — and offered a journey through dishes and regions, providing a snapshot of a united yet diverse Italy. The presentation of dishes complemented what Enoteca Italiana Siena showcased and promoted in anticipation of its upcoming reopening. Throughout the day, many other sessions followed one another without interruption, while visitors could enjoy the architectural beauty and sample the items on display in the village.
The contribution of the local residents was especially valuable, as was that of the volunteer associations, who carried out the important logistical work of preparation, coordination, and final operations.
“Compared to the first edition, the numbers have doubled, just as we had hoped,” said chef Lonardo Fiorenzani, creator and holder of the GUSTO LOVERS brand. “Beyond that, the exhibition area at the event location has grown, with the village itself becoming the true guest of honour. The residents found it hard to accept disruption to their daily lives, but they understood and played a key role in providing the hospitality and excellence for which they are renowned, and which we wanted to celebrate. Storytelling about food and wine, and the culture it represents, was the theme of Sunday, May 11. It was a success, a challenge and a promise. Once again, we achieved our goal, and credit goes to those who believed in it with me and to all those, and there are many, who contributed to its preparation and success. The many proposals to replicate the event, even from outside the region, show that we truly managed to communicate what we set out to express. Thank you to everyone!”
“This year, there was an enhanced programme,” said Massimo Arcangeli, the artistic director and co-organiser of the event. “It included a wide range of masterclasses on topics such as herbs, food tourism and regional dishes. Special guests included the Accademia della Crusca, represented by its president, Paolo D’Achille, and member, Nicola De Blasi, as well as journalist and television presenter, Livio Leonardi. Thanks to the prestigious Academy, the culinary excellence of an interregional menu — from Amatriciana to the Salama da Sugo of Ferrara, Peposo from Impruneta to Pastiera from Naples — almost all of which was prepared on the spot and served to participants in the masterclasses, became a valuable opportunity for historical reconstruction and exploring the language of the featured dishes.”
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who took part,” said Francesco Verzulli, the Councillor for Tourism at the Municipality of Sovicille. “This includes those who worked behind the scenes with dedication and a spirit of service; the local associations; and the event organisers, who made this beautiful event possible in the unique setting of Torri. Gusto Lovers is an event that not only promotes the area through tourism, but also provides an opportunity for our community to meet, share and participate actively. Its success demonstrates the importance of collaboration and of valuing not only excellence, but also the human relationships that form the foundation of every lasting project. Collaboration between public and private initiatives was key to its success.”
“Gusto Lovers was a success from every point of view,” said Serena Bianciardi, president of the DMO Terre di Siena third sector association. “As the DMO Terre di Siena, we can only be proud of it. The event authentically showcased the cultural and culinary heritage of the area, bringing life to the picturesque village of Torri for an entire weekend and transforming it into a vibrant, welcoming place bursting with activities. Another valuable aspect was the active involvement of DMO operators, who demonstrated their commitment to building a network by collaborating across different municipalities united by the same territorial project. This level of participation demonstrates that collaboration is not just a slogan, but a tangible reality. Added to all this was the valuable contribution of public institutions, which took part with conviction, sending a clear signal of how cooperation between public and private actors can create positive examples and deliver measurable benefits to the local territory.
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