« Go back Hammamet becomes the capital of Mediterranean cuisine
The second edition of ‘The Bridge’, the event that brings together cuisines from across the Mediterranean, took place this time in Hammamet, Tunisia. The cuisines of Italy, France, Turkey and Tunisia came together and influenced each other during the five-day event. Representatives from each country came into contact with Mediterranean cuisines through workshops, training courses and cultural exchanges. Ristoworld Italy was also among the international partners taking part.
The city of Hammamet became a meeting point for gastronomic cultures, hosting one of the most important events for the tourism and culinary sector in the Mediterranean area. During ‘The Bridge’, the mastery of international chefs was combined with the desire for innovation of new Tunisian chefs.
Chefs Luca Giannone and Vincenza Arena were chosen to represent Italy, with the help of young future chefs Robert Emmi and Carmelo Schillaci. The Italian chefs decided to focus their workshops on the Mediterranean diet, cold processing of raw ingredients, and vegan and dietetic cuisine.
France has chosen the expertise of chef Cedric Ivon to offer lessons on pastry techniques and the basics of haute cuisine.
Turkey has decided to entrust the task of demonstrating the art of preparing meat and Anatolian national dishes to chef Hüdaverdi Akgün, with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and the Embassy.
'The Bridge' aims to be an opportunity for Tunisian chefs who want to learn about the culinary culture of other participating countries through an open-air school. The aim of the initiative is to raise Tunisian hospitality to high standards. In a process of cultural exchange and comparison, international chefs were involved in a hands-on experience to discover Tunisian raw materials and gastronomic traditions. A multi-voiced narrative that contributes to building Tunisia's image as an emerging centre of culinary excellence.
‘The Bridge is much more than a gastronomic exhibition: it is a space for connection between peoples, cultures and visions,’ said the organising committee at the end of the event. The closing ceremony was also an opportunity to announce the next edition, scheduled for November 2026, which will focus on local Tunisian products and invite internationally renowned chefs to explore the ancestral recipes of the Maghreb, guided by the guardians of local tradition.