On October 22, 2025, ELLE Gourmet hosted an unforgettable Italian soirée at Amano Trattoria, bringing together elevated cuisine, fine wines and the creative spirit of modern Italy. The evening – rooted in Italian craftsmanship, conviviality and contemporary flavours – was made possible by an exceptional group of sponsors, each adding their own signature touch to the experience.
Here’s a look back at the night’s standout moments.
Amano Trattoria – Host venue
Amano Trattoria set the tone with its warm, modern interpretation of classic Italian dining. Guests were welcomed into a space where soft lighting and theatrical dark velvet curtains and original brick walls created a dramatic and intimate space. The room was dominated by an oversized bar with gold horse sculptures, and retro Italian films played on tv screens around the room. A mural of Sophia Loren adorned with a floral crown takes up an entire wall, and a bright red Vespa was on display.
Chef Michael Angeloni’s tasting plates highlighted regional Italian traditions with an inventive twist – pasta-making by hand served with ELLE Gourmet’s own slow-simmered, glossy tomato sauce that embodied true cucina italiana. Pinsa-style pizzas were made on-the-spot in front of guests.
Ruffino 1877 — A tour through iconic Italian Wines
Guests were welcomed with a sophisticated series of Ruffino pours that set the tone for an elegant evening.
- Ruffino Lumina Prosecco – lively and celebratory
- Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale – structured and elegant
- Ruffino Aziano Chianti Classico DOCG – balanced and food-friendly
- Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico – complex, rich, and unforgettable
Highlight:
Guided pours invited guests to explore Tuscany’s winemaking heritage through each distinctive glass.
Mezzacorona wines— A bright taste of the Italian Alps
Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio offered crisp minerality and citrus freshness, pairing beautifully with lighter antipasti, salads and fresh pasta. Highlight: A refreshing interlude of Alpine brightness between richer courses.
Lavazza — Espresso culture with vintage charm
Lavazza added Italian romance with a vintage-style espresso cart, serving espresso martinis prepared to order. Highlight: Rich espresso aromas and beautifully shaken espresso martinis that transported guests straight to Italy.
USA Pears — A stunning featured mocktail
At the bar, mixologists prepared a refreshing Pear Spritz Mocktail featuring USA Pears. Lightly sparkling, beautifully garnished, and elegantly balanced, it became an instant guest favourite.
Highlight: Guests loved watching the mixologists crafting the mocktail with flair—perfectly refreshing and visually stunning.
California Strawberries — Sweet creativity in action
California Strawberries delighted guests with two interactive culinary moments:
- A live chocolate dipping station where a pastry chef created custom-decorated berries right before guests’ eyes.
- Made fresh on the spot, this Strawberry Goat Cheese Pizza was a surprising sweet–savoury pizza that became one of the most talked-about bites of the evening. Highlight: A playful, flavourful showcase of strawberry versatility.
Barilla — Innovation meets Italian comfort food
Barilla highlighted their no-boil, oven-ready lasagne sheets through an energetic demonstration by charismatic Barilla Canada Executive Chef Gabriel Pavan. Chef Pavan guided attendees step-by-step through the lasagne-building process, offering helpful cooking tips and clever tricks. His unexpected twist – making lasagne in an air fryer – resulted in a lasagne with crisp, caramelized edges and perfectly tender and cheesy layers.
Highlight: A lively demo that combined tradition with modern convenience, inspiring guests to try making Barilla Air Fryer Lasagne at home.
Haven Greens — Fresh baby greens are simply perfect
The salad course featured Haven Greens, whose tender, vibrant fresh baby greens were so flavourful they required nothing more than a light drizzle of olive oil. Their natural sweetness and delicate texture brought a clean, refreshing element to the meal. Highlight: A minimalist, modern salad that let the exceptional quality of the greens shine through.
The charcuterie-and-cheese display became an instant focal point—lush, abundant and beautifully arranged.
Thanks to Tree of Life, Brazzale and Leoncini contributed their signature melt-in-your-mouth ingredients. Highlight: A picture-perfect board that balanced colour, texture, and Italian authenticity.
- Brazzale’s Gran Moravia added savoury richness
- Leoncini’s Prosciutto di Parma added delicate and nuanced flavours
- California strawberries elevated the board with the bright colour and natural sweetness of berries
- Slices of ripe USA Pears offered elegant aromatic and juicy fruit
- Chef Mike Angeloni’s freshly-baked focaccia and flatbreads
San Benedetto – Italian mineral water that completes the picture
Sourced from natural springs in Scorzè, Italy, San Benedetto is known for its low mineral content and crisp taste. Highlight: A dedicated San Benedetto water station helped guests stay hydrated.
Love Gelato — A sweet, silky finale
Love Gelato treated guests to handcrafted gelato in both classic and contemporary flavours, offering a refreshing, indulgent endpoint to the evening’s menu. Highlight:
Guests happily returning for seconds – a sure sign of gelato perfection.
A terrific swag bag to take home
Guests departed with a thoughtfully curated swag bag filled with indulgent treats and gourmet essentials, including:
- Craig’s Cookies featuring their famous cookie made with Italian Nutella
- The Body Shop hand cream
- Barilla no-boil pasta
- Haven Greens
- A pear slicer and fun pear-patterned socks from USA Pears
- A copy of ELLE Gourmet
- Lavazza Oro coffee
- Plus additional gourmet surprises and delights
Recipes featured at ELLE Gourmet’s To Italy and The Med With Love event
Recipes featured at ELLE Gourmet’s To Italy and The Med With Love event
Unlike the 10-Minute Sugo, this flavourful sauce calls for a long simmer time but asks for the same minimal effort. You’ll only need one pan and there’s no chopping required, making this recipe too simple and too good not to try.
Get the recipe
Unlike the 10-Minute Sugo, this flavourful sauce calls for a long simmer time but asks for the same minimal effort. You’ll only need one pan and there’s no chopping required, making this recipe too simple and too good not to try.
Get the recipe
This semolina pasta requires just two ingredients (plus salt) and is totally worth making at home. It easily holds its shape (so get playful!) and will deliver a delightfully chewy texture when boiled.
Get the recipe
This semolina pasta requires just two ingredients (plus salt) and is totally worth making at home. It easily holds its shape (so get playful!) and will deliver a delightfully chewy texture when boiled.
Get the recipe
Strawberries are ideal as a pizza topping, where they pair wonderfully with salty cheeses like goat or Feta.
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Strawberries are ideal as a pizza topping, where they pair wonderfully with salty cheeses like goat or Feta.
Get the recipe
This vibrant mocktail features a rosemary infusion and the sweet taste of pears.
Get the recipe
This vibrant mocktail features a rosemary infusion and the sweet taste of pears.
Get the recipe
