On Thursday, November 27, the prestigious Hôtel Martinez in Cannes hosted an exceptional day celebrating the excellence of Liguria on the French Riviera. Organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice, Liguria International, and CNA Liguria, with the support of the Italian Consulate in Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the event highlighted both the gastronomic heritage and the business opportunities available to Ligurian companies on the French market.
Comprehensive Training for Ligurian Companies
The program began at 4:30 PM with a technical training session designed to provide immediately actionable tools for businesses.
- Davide Borghesi, from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice, presented the latest insights on the French market and Italian agri-food exports, with a focus on the French Riviera. He detailed demand dynamics, pricing strategies, key distribution channels, and untapped opportunities for Ligurian products.
- Flavio Di Benedetto, Paris-based lawyer and Senior Associate at Rödl & Partner Avocats, explained the main ways to access the French market (direct sales, intermediaries, distributors) and the legal framework governing supplier-buyer relationships, emphasizing contracts, transparency, and margin protection.
- The second session, led by Francesco Moroni, partner at In Extenso, addressed accounting and tax matters, including VAT, invoicing obligations, fiscal representation, and practical examples to help businesses choose the optimal structure while minimizing tax risks.
Business Meetings and Networking
From 5:30 PM, the event shifted to one-on-one business meetings between 18 Ligurian companies and 20 French buyers, including representatives from large retailers, specialty distributors, and high-end restaurants. The goal was to transform Ligurian products into qualified contacts, commercial agreements, and long-term partnerships, strengthening the Liguria–Côte d’Azur corridor for culinary and oenological excellence.
An Exceptional Culinary Evening
The day culminated in a gala dinner dedicated entirely to Ligurian flavors. The menu, prepared by the Michelin-starred chefs of Hôtel Martinez alongside Italian chefs Jorg Giubbani and Matteo Rezzano from Rezzano Cucina e Vino, included:
- Starter – “Camogli”: Mackerel, beef heart tomato, Zerli onion, Taggiasca olives, carpione, anchovies
- Cold appetizer – “Noli”: Seared meagre and yellowtail, chinotto cream and fermented mandarin, carpione, winter salad
- Hot appetizer – “Albenga”: Cabannina beef terrine, salsify, purple artichoke, Pigato wine
- Main course – “Portofino”: Pesto risotto, bisque, violet prawns, Ligurian citrus
- Dessert – “Ponente”: Pernambuco orange, prescinsêua, candied Taggiasca olives, basil
- Petit fours: Genoese Pandolce with Savona chinotto
- Bread: Genoese focaccina
This dinner show perfectly reflected the prestige and refinement of the Hôtel Martinez while celebrating Ligurian culinary excellence.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks went to Liguria International and CNA Liguria for their pivotal role in coordinating the initiative and engaging companies, as well as to the chefs and Italian representatives for their exceptional contributions.
The event demonstrated that Liguria is not only a region of stunning landscapes and culinary treasures but also a territory committed to international growth, combining quality, expertise, and innovation to succeed on global markets.
