New 40,000 sq ft Italian food hall to open in UK with a winery and cookery school

Foodies wanting to learn the secrets to Italy’s world-famous cuisine won’t need to venture too far thanks to a giant new Italian marketplace opening in the UK.

Eataly is set to open its doors in London’s Broadgate next year complete with three restaurants, street food-esque stalls, a winery and even a cookery school.

The new food hall will cover over 40,000 sq ft across two floors, with plenty of fun events from live demonstrations and special tastings for visitors to explore.

There will be over 5,000 products to discover, whether you’re looking for some Italian treats to take home, or you’re looking for a fun night out at one of the restaurants (which will include a fine dining offering, Terra, opening in the summer).

The company says it will source ingredients from small, local farmers – for example, using local milk to make fresh cheeses on-site.

For those who want to discover the techniques behind world famous Italian dishes, there will be a cookery school where chefs and experts will offer both in-house and online classes whether you’re looking to create a regional specialty, or want something fun to do with the kids.

Although it’s the first time an Eataly marketplace will open in the UK, it’s not a new concept.

Oscar Farinetti launched the first Eataly in January 2007 in Turin, and the brand has since gone on to open 43 new marketplaces around the world. In fact, the UK will mark the 16th country in the company’s repertoire.

Eataly CEO, Nicola Farinetti commented: “London has been a key target in our global expansion plans for some time now and we’re happy to be bringing our vision and a love of high-quality food to the UK.

“Eataly is all about taking the Italian gastronomic culture abroad, making it accessible to all in a celebration of the craft, taste and traditions of Italian food and drink. Bringing people together is at the heart of what we do and this is even more important in the current climate.”

With the ongoing restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, Matteo Ferrio, Eataly London Store Manager, says that the marketplace “will be sure to comply with the relevant guidelines, so everyone can have the proper Eataly experience with peace of mind”.

You can find out more on eataly.co.uk.