CORTINA ENTERS THE 2026 OLYMPICS WITH THE MAGIC OF THE QUEEN OF TASTE

CORTINA THE QUEEN OF TASTE

Cortina is preparing to once again experience the magic of The Queen of Taste , the festival that has celebrated mountain haute cuisine for nine years and has become a key event for the Cortina d’Ampezzo culinary tradition. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Queen of the Dolomites will once again offer a journey through flavors, landscapes, and gastronomic creativity, with an edition that takes on a special significance: just months before the 2026 Winter Olympics, the event is even more closely linked to the Olympic atmosphere that already animates the city.

The festival was born and grew around Chef Team Cortina , a team of ten restaurateurs who have made the mountains the heart of their research. This is more than just a local tradition: each edition is a laboratory that intertwines Dolomite roots with contemporary visions. This year, the team will be joined by a special guest: Enrico Bartolini , Italy’s most starred chef (14 Michelin stars), who will create a dish for Cortina dedicated to Alpine flavors. An ideal bridge between Milan and Cortina, the two souls of the Winter Olympics.

The experience isn’t just enjoyed at the table, but in the valley’s iconic locations. Breakfast at the Col Druscié Refuge returns , suspended between the sky and the mountains, curated by pastry chef Massimo Alverà with special guests. This will be followed by the Cortina Chef Tour , a five-stop itinerant lunch that, for the first time, will take place in broad daylight, combining the flavors and light of the Dolomite landscapes. Each restaurant becomes a stopover where cuisine and local produce merge for a unique experience.

For the city administration, the event has become an integral part of the city’s identity. “The Queen of Taste is the result of a collaborative effort that promotes haute cuisine as a cultural heritage,” said Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi. A concept echoed by Francesca Bocus of the Chef Team: “We want to consolidate the ambition that has guided us from the beginning: to bring mountain haute cuisine to the center of Italian gastronomic debate.”

The Queen of Taste thus confirms itself not only as a successful festival rooted in Cortina’s tradition, but also as an international showcase ready to showcase Cortina in the run-up to the 2026 Olympics. An event that unites flavors, culture, and community, demonstrating how the mountains can reinvent themselves without losing their authenticity.

Disclaimer: This article is for cultural and informational purposes only. The content is intended to highlight events, places, and traditions of the Italian landscape, offering readers a contribution to knowledge and insight. There is no commercial intent.