Autumn in Ticino is preparing to welcome an explosion of color and flavor with the nineteenth edition of the S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino food festival. From September 18 to November 16, 2025, the renowned culinary event will transform the canton into a window to Brazil, offering a deep immersion into its fascinating and complex culinary culture. Forget the clichés: this will be an authentic journey to discover a gastronomy that is a veritable mosaic of influences, the fruit of centuries of encounters between indigenous, African, and European peoples.
Brazilian cuisine, with its wealth of ingredients sourced from fields, forests, rivers, and the sea, is a celebration of biodiversity and history. It's a palette of contrasting flavors and unusual aromas, where tradition blends with innovation, showcasing national raw materials considered true treasures. This food festival promises to be a unique opportunity to explore an unexpected Brazil, championing a cutting-edge gastronomy deeply rooted in sustainability.
The stars of Brazil light up Ticino
Six big names from the Brazilian culinary scene will bring their infectious energy and creativity to Ticino. These chefs have not only earned Michelin stars and prominent positions in global rankings such as "The World's 50 Best Restaurants," but are also true pioneers of a responsible culinary approach, attentive to social and environmental impact.
From Rio de Janeiro, two-Michelin-starred chefs Rafa Costa e Silva (Lasai) and Alberto Landgraf (Oteque) will be present. São Paulo will be represented by Ivan Ralston (Tuju Restaurant), with two Michelin stars and one green star, and Luiz Filipe Souza (Evvai), with two Michelin stars. From Curitiba, South American icon Manu Buffara (Manu Restaurant), named Best Female Chef 2022 by the World's 50 Best Restaurant, will showcase the vibrant colors of the Atlantic Forest. Finally, from Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon, Felipe Schaedler (Banzeiro) will be the go-to for the most authentic flavors of the forest.
These chefs are not only masters of the kitchen, but also the custodians of a philosophy that values short supply chains, fair trade, and respect for nature. Many of them collaborate directly with organic producers, using produce from their own gardens or supplied by small farmers, and are committed to establishing in-house research institutes dedicated to exploring Brazil's diverse biomes. Their cuisine is an expression of multiculturalism, guided by in-depth research into seasonal ingredients and a strong commitment to reducing food waste.
A food festival without borders: the enthusiasm of Dany Stauffacher
Dany Stauffacher, CEO of S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino, makes no secret of his enthusiasm for this special edition: "I'm delighted to bring a little bit of Brazil to Ticino. Once again, gastronomy provides the perfect platform to communicate various themes and further develop a borderless cultural exchange." Stauffacher emphasizes the importance of responsible gastronomy, which combines creativity and sustainability, and has the ability to bring color back to neighborhoods and engage local communities.
A calendar full of events and exceptional locations
The program for this food festival is as rich and varied as ever, with dinners held in Ticino's most enchanting and renowned locations, including top-notch restaurants and hotels that will host our Ticino colleagues. Among the venues hosting the events are the Hotel Splendide Royal – Lugano, the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola – Lugano, Villa Principe Leopoldo – Lugano, the Lugano Casino, the Swiss Diamond Hotel – Vico Morcote, La Romantica Boutique Hotel – Melide, the Hotel Eden Roc – Ascona, the Hotel Belvedere – Locarno, the La Baia Restaurant – Muralto-Locarno, the Seven Toc Toc – Ascona, the Seven Restaurant – Lugano, the Ciani Restaurant – Lugano, the Tenuta Castello di Morcote – Vico Morcote, Moncucchetto – Lugano, and the Meta Restaurant – Lugano.
The food festival will officially kick off with the Grand Opening at the Hotel Splendide Royal in Lugano, dedicated to the Chefs of Swiss Deluxe Hotels, and will conclude with the customary Final Party, for the first time at the new La Romantica Boutique Hotel in Melide, featuring some chefs from the Grandes Tables Suisses of Ticino.
There will also be the traditional “Oltre Gottardo” evenings, where top Ticino chefs will bring their culinary flair combined with the excellent wines of the area to prestigious Swiss establishments, this year in Lucerne (21 October at the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne) and in Lausanne (4 November at the headquarters of EHL, the prestigious Hospitality Business School).
A first taste of Brazil will be enjoyed in the splendid setting of Tenuta Castello di Morcote with a "Dîner au Château to the rhythm of samba." The Lounge Evening at the Lugano Casino also returns, a young-at-heart event featuring a high-end food and wine menu.
For the complete program of the food festival and for all the details on the events, you can visit the official website.
The Partners of S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino 2025
The 2025 edition of S.Pellegrino Sapori Ticino is made possible thanks to the valuable contributions of numerous partners:
Ticino Welcome – together with Falstaff and Gastronomie&Tourisme is media
Title partner: Acqua Panna and S.Pellegrino
Platinum Partner: UBS
Official Car PartnerPorsche – Porsche Centers Ticino
Special Partner 2025: Switzerland Tourism
Gold partners: Diners Club International, Lugano Region, Ascona Locarno
Silver partnersTicino Tourism, Swiss Deluxe Hotels, Laurent-Perrier, EHL, Nespresso, Lugano Casino
Bronze PartnersWullschleger Group, Pernod Ricard Swiss, Fidinam, Crossinvest, Ezio Tarchini Engineering, Seven Group, Unipress, Tenuta Castello di Morcote
Partners: Grandes Tables Suisses, Ticinowine, Technogym, Zegna, Zonca Lighting
Product partnersCiao Beer, Dubno, Parmacotto, Fish Market, Tior, Schwob, Sabo&Barbera, Grünenfelder, Galbani, Molino Dallagiovanna
Wine partners: Allegrini, Boucherville, Cantina Monti, Cantine Latini, Castello Luigi, Chronos Wine Cellar, Delea, Fumagalli, Gialdi, Laurent-Perrier, Magnificients, Moncucchetto, Quattromani, Tamborini, Tenuta Agricola Luigina, Tenuta Castello di Morcote, Terlan, Uvarara, Valsangiacomo Vini, Vinattieri
