The 2026 edition of Taste of Italy Houston, organized by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Texas, successfully concluded after three days of meetings, tastings, and educational moments dedicated to promoting the excellence of Italian food and wine in the United States. The event once again confirmed the strong and growing interest of the American market in Made in Italy food & wine.
This year’s edition featured approximately 90 exhibiting food and wine companies, participating either independently or as part of delegations organized by AIC – Associazione Italiana Coltivatori, Arsial, Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, Good Advice, and Simply Italian Great Wines. Together, the companies presented more than 500 products to an audience of industry professionals and U.S. buyers.
Overall, the event welcomed over 300 industry professionals, including importers, distributors, restaurateurs, retailers, and buyers from several U.S. States.
The 2026 edition also introduced several important new elements. For the first time, traditional tasting desks were complemented by dedicated exhibition booths, providing companies with a more structured format to showcase their products and engage with buyers. The event also recorded a significant increase in industry participation, alongside a carefully curated presence of food and wine lovers and media representatives during the segment open to a non-professional audience.
Among the most appreciated innovations this year were a cooking class dedicated to Italian cuisine and a retail tour at one of Texas’ leading retailers, initiatives designed to offer Italian companies a more comprehensive understanding of the U.S. market.
Opening Day: Industry Panel and Networking
The event officially began on Sunday, March 1, with the registration of exhibitors and the arrival of the first buyers traveling to Houston from across the United States.
In the afternoon, an informational panel dedicated to the U.S. market took place, moderated by Mark Anderson (Industrial & Energy Business Consultant), and featuring several leading industry experts: John Brauner (President of Horizon Food Brokers -Florida), Stefano Del Verme (Director of Broadline Distribution & National Accounts at Sammontana -New Jersey), Cecilia Ercolino, (Founder & Onwer of Italian Products & Beyond -New Jersey), Carlo Lascialfare (VP Client Relations North America – Corpay), Ari Lowenstein (Founder & Onwer of Ari's Pantry -Texas), Steven McDonald (Master Sommelier, Michelin Sommelier Award 2024 & wine Director at Pappas Bros Steakhouse -Texas), Joseph Porretta (National Account Executive – Corpay), Carmine Valle (Founder & Onwer of Wine Twist Import - New York).
During the panel, speakers shared practical insights, market strategies, and key considerations for entering and expanding in the U.S. market, providing Italian companies with valuable guidance for developing their business in the United States.
The opening day concluded with a lively networking reception, accompanied by live music from the Joe Michaels Vocal Trio and a unique live cattle dummy experience by Trevor Dreher, offering guests an entertaining introduction to Texas culture.
Buyer Preview, Walk-Around Tasting and Masterclasses
The main exhibition day took place on Monday March 2, starting at 9:00 AM with the setup of the exhibitors’ stations.
At 10:30 AM, the event opened with the VIP Buyer Preview, an exclusive moment dedicated to approximately 50 selected buyers and industry leaders, offering exhibitors the opportunity to present their products in a more focused setting.
At 1:30 PM, the event officially opened to all registered industry professionals, welcoming over 200 attendees, including importers, distributors, restaurateurs, and retailers. Throughout the day, the walk-around tasting in the ballroom created a dynamic environment for product presentations, tastings, and networking opportunities between Italian producers and U.S. industry operators.
Two educational masterclasses were also held during the day.
The first, “Terroirs, Grapes & Identity – A Journey Through Italian Wine” sponsored by Coldiretti and organized by IACC Texas in collaboration with Simply Italian Great Wines, was led by sommelier Sara Tosti. The session introduced seven Italian wines to an audience of over 30 industry professionals, highlighting the diversity and identity of Italy’s wine regions.
Another highlight was the popular “Italian Wines & Texas BBQ” masterclass, which once again sold out. The experience featured Texas barbecue prepared by renowned pit master Ara Malekian (Harlem Road Texas BBQ), joined this year by Chef Enzo Barbieri (Bottega Barbieri), who traveled specifically from Altomonte, Calabria. The dishes were enhanced by Chef Barbieri’s distinctive Piccaglio Sauce, creating a unique culinary encounter between Texas barbecue tradition and Calabrian flavors.
“Delicious Made in Italy” and Chef Barbieri’s Cooking Class
On Monday at 4:30 PM, the event opened its doors to a selected audience of approximately 100 food and wine lovers and media representatives for “Delicious Made in Italy”, the special event organized by the Consulate General of Italy in Houston to present the project “Lots of Italy in Houston”.
The project has been selected as a winner of the “Italian Capitals of Creativity in the World 2026” award, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) together with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT).
Thanks to this initiative, Houston has been designated “Italian Capital of Creativity in the World 2026,” together with the cities of Bangkok and Belgrade.
The initiative featured the participation of the Parmigiano Reggiano and Campari, celebrating the quality and authenticity of Italian gastronomy.
During the event, Consul General Mauro Lorenzini highlighted Houston’s growing recognition as a capital of Italian creativity, emphasizing the city’s role as a cultural and economic bridge between Italy and Texas.
Among the distinguished guests were Fucsia Nissoli Fitzgerald, representative of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), Italian Member of Parliament Christian Di Sanzo, and Oscar Renda, a prominent U.S. entrepreneur of Calabrian origin well known in the American construction industry.
The program also included remarks by the Italian Brand Specialist per Kobrand Corp. Emiliano Monchieri, while Chef Enzo Barbieri led a highly appreciated cooking class, preparing delicious handmade gnocchetti crafted by his wife Patrizia, offering guests an authentic taste of Calabrian culinary tradition.
The gastronomic experience was further enriched by the contributions of Amalfi Restaurant, led by Chef Giancarlo Ferrara, and Tosca Italian Gourmet, whose specialties were warmly received by guests.
Final Day and Retail Tour
On the morning of Tuesday, March 3, exhibitors continued meeting with additional industry professionals before the event officially closed at 1:30 PM, bringing the total number of professional attendees to over 300 industry professionals.
In the early afternoon, 15 representatives from exhibiting companies participated in one of this year’s key innovations: a retail tour at the flagship store of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods in downtown Houston. During the visit, participants met with Peter Gryska, Director of Grocery Operations, and members of the Spec’s team to gain deeper insights into the U.S. retail market and potential positioning opportunities for Italian products.
Strengthening the Bridge Between Italy and Texas
With record participation, new initiatives, and an increasingly qualified presence of industry professionals, Taste of Italy Houston 2026 once again confirmed its role as one of the leading events in the United States dedicated to promoting Italian food and wine excellence.
The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Texas would like to extend its sincere thanks to the sponsors and partners who contributed to the success of this year’s edition of Taste of Italy Houston, including Calabria Straordinaria, Corpay, Hyper Growth IQ, and Mr. Oscar Renda, whose support played an important role in making the event possible.
Last but certainly not least, our sincere thanks go to all the participating companies. We hope the event met their expectations and that it will mark the beginning of fruitful future collaborations.
The event continues to represent an important platform for creating new business opportunities, strengthening the presence of Italian products in the American market, and fostering connections between two cultures united by a shared passion for great food and wine.
See you next year! 🇮🇹🍷