Salone del Gusto

Every two years, in autumn, at the height of the truffle season, the vast halls of the Lingotto – the old Fiat factory in Turin – are given over to the Salone del Gusto. Organised by the Slow Food movement, it sees rare-food producers, retailers, restaurateurs, the curious and the hungry (including notables such as the Prince of Wales and Raymond Blanc), come together to swap ideas, source new products and sample culinary delights. For sheer theatre and interest, you might choose to attend one of the many cookery demonstrations or workshops, which examine with great seriousness such topics as the Endangered Swiss Potato or Calabrian Mountain Snails. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s bound to be something that appeals among the hundreds of stalls, arranged in vias or lanes in an attempt to impose some order on this huge and unforgettable indoor market. Look out for the Slow Food dinners, too, cooked by international visiting chefs who take over restaurants, for one night only, both in Turin and the surrounding countryside.

Highlights

What’s not to love about meeting a Tibetan farmer who smiles at you wordlessly while proffering a delicious lump of firm, fragrant yak cheese on the end of a knife? Otherwise, from 16h on the Saturday, there’s the Tre Bicchieri or Three Glasses (you’ll need a separate ticket, costing €70, which you can buy at the Salone). For this, you’ll need to gather your stamina and climb the huge spiraling ramp that leads up four storeys to the Fiat test track atop the Lingotto – with more than 200 fine wines to taste as you go.

In The Know

Head Count

140,000 feast here over the four days.

Meeting Point

If you lose someone, go to the Visitor’s Gallery and they will put out an announcement. Otherwise, make your own careful arrangements – the chaos precludes earmarking any obvious meeting place.

What If

I’m vegetarian/I’m picky/I’m allergic? This place really has some of the finest food in the world, for anyone. Whatever your needs, requirements and desires, we would be amazed if you didn’t find something new, tasty and surprising here to take you to foodie heaven.

Packing Tips

Take as little as possible, in order to leave space in your suitcase for the unusual and the delicious.

Escape

There are quieter cafés in the adjacent shopping centre, but be warned: if you want to leave the Salone, make sure you speak to the security guards about re-entry, since they may not let you back in. (This varies year on year.)

Dos and don'ts

• Don’t go overboard at breakfast – you’ll regret it when you see the finest Parma ham/Zibello culatello/Parmigiano Reggiano you’ve ever laid eyes on.
• Pace yourself, and don’t bother queuing for anything; you may want to try everything, but it’s not humanly possible.
• Wear loose-waisted clothing.
• Talk to the stallholders: they are fascinating, passionate, extraordinary people who will help you to appreciate the delicacies and their route from source to plate even more.
• Take a packet of wet wipes with you – the loos are rather unappetising. Useful for cleaning sticky fingers, too.

Need To Know

Children

Little ones are welcome here and will love the array of treats on offer. There is a dedicated children’s area, and workshops for children.

Parking

The Lingotto has its own carparks; the fee is about €1 an hour.

Disability Access

Wheelchair users should have no problems at all at this event. Ring Fiona Richmond at Slow Food on 0800 917 1232 to check specific requirements.

Food & Drink

Look no further than the Salone for wonderful food and wine. It’s open from 11h until 23h.

Sleep

Le Meridien Lingotto, right by the Salone, has been spectacularly converted from the ancient Fiat automobile Factory, by the renowned architect Renzo Piano. Guests can jog on the famous testing track, located on the roof of the former car factory. Sister hotel Le Meridien Turin Art+Tech is just as gorgeous, and is Turin’s first five-starrer (both +39 011 664 2000; www.lemeridien-lingotto.it). An hour’s drive from Turin is the exquisite La Villa in Mombaruzzo (for details or to book, see www.mrandmrssmith.com or ring 0845 034 0701).

VIP

Not applicable at this event.