Introducing Livio Colapinto, our Advisory Board Member from Italy

7 June 2018

Livio Colapinto is the co-owner of  Zest of Italy , a company founded in 2008 alongside Kathrin Fehervary. The company focuses on delivering quality food and wine tours throughout Italy. He is a Certified Ambassador of the World Food Travel Association. We spent a few minutes with Livio Colapinto to get to know him better.

Livio was born in Torino, Northern Italy, and developed a great passion for cooking from his family. At the age of 8, he was cooking his first meal for the family. Ever since then, he has never stopped searching for the best foods.

After his engineering studies and 7 years of work in finance abroad, he returned to his origins. He paused his career in international banking to get a Master’s Degree in Food Culture and Communication from the University of Gastronomic Sciences.

Livio took his first step into the food industry by becoming the right-hand of Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini for two years. As a result, he attended the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences. Additionally, he supported Oscar Farinetti with the opening of the original Eataly stores in Italy and Japan. Because of this relationship, Livio Colapinto was able to invite Oscar to appear on a recent Eat Well, Travel Better podcast  produced by our Association.

Livio got started with the World Food Travel Association almost 6 years ago when he penned a chapter, Food & Drink Manufacturing, in the Association’s  Have Fork Will Travel book. For Livio, being a part of the World Food Travel Association gives him a broader perspective about the food and beverage tourism industry. He finds networking one of the most valuable tools the Association offers.

As for his favorite food destinations, Livio has a fondness for Japan due to his stay in Tokyo. Livio is also fascinated by New York City and Los Angeles, due to his many meetings with food retailers there. These companies use Livio’s services to source quality Italian food and beverage products.

What’s next for Livio Colapinto and his company? He’ll be working to develop new travel programs to Italy for both passionate food travelers and foodservice professionals.

You can learn more and follow him  here on Instagram  or  here on Facebook.

Promotion for culinary capitals an innovative destination certification and development program for unknown destinations
Taste of place podcast listen to our culinary travel and culture podcast with erik wolf
Food
A membership page with a picture of pancakes on a plate.
by Erik Wolf 26 June 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 77: “Maple, Memories & Migration” featuring Sara England In this conversation, Sara England shares her journey from Ontario to Nova Scotia, her work at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, and the significance of food in the context of immigration. The discussion highlights the new exhibition 'Eat, Make, Share: A Taste of Immigration,' which explores the relationship between food and cultural identity in Canada, emphasizing the contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canadian cuisine. The conversation also touches on historical aspects of immigration, including the harrowing experiences of those who traveled on coffin ships during the Irish potato famine, and the evolving identity of Canadian food. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
by Erik Wolf 26 June 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 76: “Morocco by Hand and Heart” featuring Siham Lahmine In this episode number 76, we explore Morocco through the eyes of Siham Lahmine, founder of Morocco Travel Organizer. Siham shares how she crafts immersive culinary experiences that connect travelers with Morocco’s rich food heritage, local artisans, and vibrant communities. From farm visits to tea ceremonies in mountain caves, discover how food becomes a powerful gateway to culture, identity, and human connection. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
28 May 2025
Announcing the 2025 Global Culinary Travel Awards Winners
A picture of a lobster roll with the words announcing our 2025 awards semi-finalists
10 May 2025
Announcing the 2025 Global Culinary Travel Awards Semi-Finalists
A man wearing a hat and glasses is smiling for the camera
9 May 2025
Episode 75: “From Tunisia, With Flavor” featuring Jamie Furniss. Dive into Tunisia’s rich culinary heritage in our latest podcast episode!
Association Names New Ambassador on Aruba
by Erik Wolf 15 April 2025
Association Names Dr Gerald Kock as New Ambassador on Aruba
More posts