There are moments when food stops being just about tasting and becomes a collective story, urban energy, and a meeting point between generations and different visions of cuisine. That is exactly what is happening at Rome’s Gazometro, where Taste of Roma has returned until May 10 for its tenth Roman edition.
Created by Mauro Dorigo and Silvia Dorigo, the event marks a long-awaited comeback after four years away from the capital.
The setting is one of the most symbolic and visually striking spaces in contemporary Rome: the Ostiense Gazometro, now transformed into a hub for innovation and technology by Eni and Enilive.
“We almost feel like we are somewhere between Berlin and London, yet we are in Rome,” Mauro Dorigo told Wining.it during the opening evening. “It’s a wonderful place, beautifully restored by Eni, and we believe this venue will host us for many years to come.”
The atmosphere is that of a true urban celebration dedicated to contemporary gastronomy. Beyond tastings and showcooking sessions, the event embraces music, mixology, wines, cocktails, DJ sets, and a strong desire to turn Taste into an increasingly inclusive and cross-generational experience.
“We wanted to go big this year,” Dorigo explained. “There are 20 restaurants rotating over two different schedules, 60 dishes to taste, 90 wines for pairing, beers, cocktails, and one major novelty: the DJ set. We want this to become a huge celebration for Roman gastronomy, but above all for the city of Rome itself.”
The format has also evolved through its chef selection. Alongside Michelin-starred names and long-standing protagonists of the event, this edition gives significant space to younger chefs and emerging gastronomic projects that reflect how much Rome’s culinary scene has changed in recent years.
“We wanted to tell the story of the city through its neighborhoods and through the many new projects that emerged while we were away,” Dorigo continued. “The great masters are here, but so are the young chefs who trained in their kitchens and who are now running extraordinary restaurants of their own, entertaining us with their creativity.”
A vision fully shared by Silvia Dorigo, who emphasized the desire to make Taste “more inclusive and welcoming,” opening the event to different dietary needs with a stronger focus on veggie and gluten-free cuisine.
The opening ceremony also featured speeches by Paolo Giuntarelli and Massimiliano Colella, both highlighting the cultural value of the event and the growing strategic role of gastronomy in territorial promotion.
“The goal of this event is not simply to let people taste dishes, but to create culture,” Giuntarelli stated, underlining how Italian cuisine has become a true expression of identity and an increasingly powerful driver for tourism.
Colella instead focused on the symbolic importance of the Gazometro itself: “This place once supplied gas for Rome’s public lighting. Today Eni is transforming it into a space dedicated to innovation, experimentation, and culture. It is the perfect setting for chefs who experiment with new languages of taste every single day.”
Taste of Roma will continue until Sunday, May 10, with evening sessions from Wednesday to Friday and both lunch and dinner services during the weekend.
An edition that represents not only the return of the festival, but also a new phase for contemporary Roman cuisine: more open, more dynamic, more inclusive, and increasingly capable of connecting with the city and its people.
