Academia Barilla to exhibit historical menu collection in Parma

Academia Barilla will present a selection of rare historical menus at the Mercanteinfiera Autunno exhibition in Parma from October 3 to 11. The exhibition, titled ‘Un mondo di menù’, features documents ranging from the tables of Casa Savoia to post-unification Italian banquets and the ‘Stella Polare’ North Pole expedition.

The collection includes over 5,000 specimens researched by Count Livio Cerini di Castegnate and his wife, Wilma. These menus serve as historical documents that reflect different eras through their listed dishes, wines, and social contexts, particularly following the rise of the ‘Russian-style’ service in the 19th century.

Academia Barilla, established in 2004 in Parma, serves as a culinary center dedicated to promoting Italian gastronomic culture. Its Gastronomic Library acts as a central resource for studying the evolution of taste and food traditions.