Thursday, 9th October 2025 — Italian Embassy, London
Inside Alivini’s 50th Anniversary:
A Celebration of Italian Excellence
As guests began arriving at the Italian Embassy, it was clear this was no ordinary day. Over 400 guests filled the grand marble halls, greeted by the hum of conversation and the rich aroma of Italian cuisine.
The occasion? Alivini’s 50th Anniversary a milestone event bringing together long-time partners, loyal customers, and producers who had flown in from across Italy and beyond. For many, it wasn’t just a tasting; it was a reunion of people who’ve shaped Alivini’s story for half a century.
The Italian Embassy of London: Where Elegance Met Energy
Few venues could match the splendour of the Italian Embassy that day. As I walked through its tall doors, the first thing that caught my eye was the marble staircase, winding gracefully upwards. The walls were alive with vibrant red and gold tapestries, depicting Italian artistry at its finest. Every corner of the room glowed warmly under the chandelier’s dripping with crystals’ light, casting a timeless elegance that really made the night feel like stepping into a classic Italian film.
Each of the Embassy’s three ornate rooms had been transformed into a celebration of Italian taste. Silver trays glided through the crowd, filled with delicate canapés (made by Chef Danilo Cortellini) that disappeared almost as soon as they appeared. Waiters in black aprons carried Molino Spadoni Roman Pinsa topped with silky pumpkin and CasArrigoni Gorgonzola, slices of Ruliano Parma Ham folded over fresh figs, and crisp polenta bites crowned with chickpea mousse and roasted cherry tomatoes.
A Menu Crafted by Chef Danilo Cortellini
The food, curated by Chef Danilo Cortellini, embodied everything Alivini stands for refinement, authenticity, and passion for flavour. Each bite truly told a story.
The Barilla orecchiette with Gerini Tuscan sausage was hearty and comforting, while Ferron Carnaroli risotto with braised radicchio and CasArrigoni taleggio was silky and decadent, the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes after the first spoonful. Guests couldn’t stop raving about the Villani mortadella mousse with pistachio light, nutty, and perfectly balanced or the La Bottega di Adò pancetta that added a rich, smoky depth to every bite.
Desserts were no afterthought each one masterclass in creativity. The dish that had everyone talking was Chef Danilo Cortellini’s inspired creation: the Voiello tiramisù paccheri.
It was a brilliant reinvention. Chef Danilo took Voiello’s signature paccheri pasta, traditionally reserved for savoury dishes and used it in place of the usual fried-dough cannoli. Each piece was cooked to perfect al dente, then crisped and filled with a luxuriously smooth tiramisù cream that combined the sweetness of mascarpone with the bitterness of espresso. The result was an astonishing balance of textures — soft and creamy inside, slightly crisp on the outside—and a flavour that danced between indulgence and surprise.
Each supplier brought not just their products, but their passion. Ferron’s risotto rice gleamed like pearls, Villani’s mortadella mousse was impossibly smooth, and Torresella’s prosecco bubbled in every glass nearby.
Gerini’s porchetta was a showstopper — golden, crisp, and layered with aromatic herbs that perfumed the entire room… Utterlu mouthwatering.
Each slice revealed tender, juicy meat wrapped in a crackling so perfectly seasoned it drew guests back for seconds.
Guests could be seen chatting animatedly with the producers, learning about terroirs, traditions, and tasting notes turning the Embassy into a living, breathing marketplace of Italian excellence.
Here we have Ilaria Petitto from Donnachiara pouring pure Campanian elegance and sharing the terroir story behind every bottle.
Our Global Family of Suppliers
At the heart of it all stood Alivini’s suppliers the people who have defined the company’s legacy. Many had travelled from Italy, others from further afield, their tables proudly displaying wines, cheeses, oils, and meats that told stories of craftsmanship passed down through generations.
The lineup read like a map of Italy’s finest producers:
Dinner at La Brasseria
As the Embassy lights began to dim, the celebration flowed naturally to La Brasseria Notting Hill, a softly lit haven in the heart of London. Inside, the atmosphere was buzzing but intimate, a perfect contrast to the grandeur of the Embassy.
Waiters moved gracefully between us, carrying trays of delicate mini arancini, golden and crisp, filled with creamy tomato rice and mozzarella that oozed with every bite. Alongside them came soft brioche topped with cream cheese, salmon and glistening fish eggs, a buttery mouthful that melted effortlessly.
At my table, the calamari fritti and zucchini fritti quickly became favourites, light, perfectly seasoned and impossibly moreish just the kind of dishes that vanished before you realised you’d reached for another. As we settled in, steaming bowls of mushroom risotto and tagliatelle con gamberi arrived. The risotto was creamy and earthy, while the tagliatelle carried a delicate sweetness from the prawns that lingered beautifully on the palate. For the main course, guests chose between grilled seabass, cauliflower steak or sirloin steak with girolles mushrooms. I went for the steak, cooked to medium rare, tender enough to melt at the touch of the fork and rich with the flavour of the jus.
A Speech that Stole the Evening
As dinner wound down, Vitoria Santos-Pires, Alivini’s General Director, rose to speak. Her words carried a sense of pride and reflection that silenced the room:
“It is a true privilege to stand before you this evening as we celebrate Alivini’s 50th anniversary a golden milestone that represents not only the passage of time, but the spirit, courage, and community that built this company.”
She spoke about founders Mauro Vignali and Antonio Pirozzi, and the decades of dedication that followed from the bold management buyout in 1993 that secured Alivini’s independence, to the resilience shown during the 2009 financial crisis. It wasn’t just a business story it was a story of perseverance and family.
The speech ended with a toast that encapsulated the night:
A tavola non si invecchia meaning at the table, you never grow old.
Moments later, the grand cake arrived — a golden number “50”, covered in rich chocolate, bright fruit, and topped with the Alivini emblem. Cameras flashed, cheers erupted, and glasses were raised high.
What stood out most that night wasn’t just the elegance or the food — it was the sense of unity. From suppliers who’ve been with Alivini since the beginning to customers discovering new wines for the first time, everyone felt part of something bigger.
For 50 years, Alivini has been more than a supplier. It’s been a bridge connecting Italy’s finest producers with those who truly appreciate their craft. And after witnessing this celebration, one thing is certain: that bridge is stronger than ever.
And as the saying goes — at the table, you never grow old.
With good food, great wine, and even greater company, we are far from old. In fact, we’re just getting started.
Grazie, salute and see you at the next celebration!