Italian delicacies on the French table

Italie à table comes to Nice for four days next month

The star-studded event serves up the Italian passions of food and history and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the best of Italian cuisine.

It was launched in 2005 by the Italian Chamber of Commerce supported by Nice Ville and the Italian Department of International Trade, and has gone from strength to strength.

Set amidst the beautifully landscaped gardens and famous sculptures, the event will have 150 exhibitors showcasing everything from cakes and desserts, to cheeses, meats, vegetarian food and bread, and local wines.

The fair will combine stalls selling local Italian produce, with cookery demonstrations and kid's events. Some of the city's  restaurants and pubs will be offering special Italian menus.

There are also competitions to win gourmet hampers and tickets for a trip to Italy.Food critic, Marc Brunoy is organising a series of conferences on the 'culinary Mediterranean tradition' and there are also workshops with French chefs, who will give their take on Italian cooking.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce sees local food as a vital part of promoting its relationship with France.

The four-day event is open daily from 10am to 8pm and with no entry fee, this is a mouth-watering opportunity too tempting to miss.

Ade Adeyinka