A world of flavors comes to Sacramento with the U.S. debut of Terra Madre Americas, the American iteration of the globally celebrated Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Italy.
Held at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, this three-day culinary event is all about celebrating Slow Food—a global movement that values sustainability, local traditions, and great taste. Expect top chefs, farmers, vintners, and artisans from across the globe to celebrate the Slow Food movement right in California’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.
For Paolo Di Croce, director general of Slow Food International, the event’s setting couldn’t be more fitting. “California is the world,” he says. “I think that in Sacramento alone there are 120 different nationalities living there. Food is not borders.”
That spirit of diversity and cultural exchange is at the heart of Terra Madre Americas. While much of the festival is free to attend, selected ticketed experiences and workshops offer attendees the opportunity to engage more deeply.
Guests can stroll through a bustling food market featuring unique regional products that span the entire hemisphere, from Arctic delicacies to Andean staples. The Enoteca wine lounge invites guests to unwind with distinctive varietals from local California wineries, while the Slow Drink pavilion showcases globally inspired cocktails mixed by top bartenders.
Coffee lovers can dive into the Slow Food Coffee Coalition, a series of tastings and workshops led by ethical producers and roasters.
Expect a killer soundtrack too—live music from Passion Pit, Spoon, and The War on Drugs will keep the energy going throughout the weekend.
The festival also features educational panels, interactive workshops, and live chef demonstrations. Chefs like Alice Waters and Andrew Zimmern will highlight the incredible diversity of ingredients and culinary customs across the Americas. California’s influence takes center stage as well, with special showcases from local Slow Food chapters spotlighting the state’s agricultural heritage, innovation, and global impact on food culture.
For chefs, farmers, or simply all the curious eaters out there, Terra Madre Americas is a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of food, culture, and sustainability—right in one of the Golden State’s most exciting foodie cities.
“The goal is really to be open to learn and to try something different,” says Di Croce.
Terra Madre Americas plans to return every other year, alternating between Italy and Sacramento.