PASS Event Rome Recap: The Best of Italian Hospitality, Service, and Overall Excellence in the Restaurant & Cocktail Bar Sector in Italy

The PASS Congress, now in it’s fifth edition, organized by Noi di Sala in collaboration with Intrecci is an annual event – and the first of its kind – dedicated to the culture of hospitality and service, bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs, those just starting out in the sector and on the rise and those who already paved the way.

All with the PASSione of promoting this beautiful industry, further enhancing its continued growth, and entrusting it into the capable and eager hands of the next generation...

PASS (Passione, Accoglienza, Servizio, Squadra)

Which loosely translates to: Passion, Hospitality, Service, Team, not exactly equating to the same letter-line up in English but, the idea is just the same.

An annual event dedicated to the world of Restaurant and Hospitality organized by Noi di Sala – the first Italian association that brings restaurant and wine professionals together. This year’s invitation-only press event (thank you again Beatrice Menca!) took place on Monday, November 24^th 2025 in Rome at Spazio Sette Liberia, featuring some of the biggest names and most famous figures in the Restaurant & Hospitality Sector in Rome and Italy.

It was an extraordinary day that I was beyond honored to have participated in (and a bit star-struck= not to mention an amazing opportunity for meeting and networking amongst the industry’s prestigious professionals, journalists, and sponsors. With a rich program of insights, observations, predictions for the future and overall discussions, including three key talks followed by an awards ceremony.

To recap the Program and Awards Ceremony that took place at the PASS event this year:

There were a total of 3 themed panels:

PANEL 1 – 3:30 / 4:30 PM

The Future of Hospitality: Tools and Policies for Growth and Innovation

Incentives and Support for Businesses in the Industry

PANEL 2 – 4:45 / 5:45 PM

Success Stories: Training, Experience, and Success

A dialogue between new generations and professionals who have already blazed the trail

PANEL 3 – 6:00 / 7:00 PM

The Art of Making a Mark

How experience becomes a competitive advantage in contemporary catering.

The role of staff as ambassadors of experience.

With speakers who collectively made up the crème della crème in the world of food, restaurants, wine, cocktails,  and hospitality :

Antonello Magistà of Pasha, Marta and Dominga Cotarella of Intrecci, Carlotta Perilli of bu:r, Walter Meccia of Four Seasons, Martina Bonci of Gucci Giardino, Mario Ventura of Confine Milano, Anastasia Paris of Futura Ristorante, Lorenzo Querci of Moebius Milano, Massimo Raugi of Villa Crespi, Vanessa Melis of Pascucci al Porticciolo, Alessandro Pipero of Pipero, Patrick Pistolesi of Drink Kong, Luca Gardini of Espresso Guides, Lorenzo Ruggieri of Director of Gambero Rosso, and last by not least, Alessandro Scorsone.

The Awards Ceremony that followed the talks, recognized the achievements and general excellence in hospitality in the following categories:

• Miglior Servizio di Sala (Best Dining Room Service): Carlotta Perilli, Bur

• Miglior Servizio del Vino (Best Wine Service): Giacomo Scatolini, Il Convivio Troiani

• Come a Casa (Like at home): Enoteca Guidi

• Miglior Giovane di Sale (Best Young Dining Room Manager/Service): Federico Trusendi, Caino

• Miglore Accoglienza Cocktail Bar (Best Reception Cocktail Bar): Martina Bonci, Gucci Giardino

• Giovani Imprendiotri di Sala (Young Entrepreneurs of the Dining Room): Alessandra Serramondi, Dogma

• Open Sala (Open Dining Room): Locanda Centrimetro, Zero

• Miglior Divulgatore Nell’Ambito Della Ristorazione (Best Communicator in the Catering Industry): Alessandro Scorsone

• Maestro di Sala (Master of the Dining Room): Massimo Raugi, Vila Crespi

Also during the PASS conference was a photo exhibition/auction for a wonderful cause, “Scatti di Sala” (Snapshots of the Dining Room) showcasing the people who work in the dining room and the design of some of the best Italian restaurants, taken by some of the best photographers in the food, wine and cocktail scene i.e. Andrea Di Lorenzo, Alberto Blasetti, Mike Tamasco, and Martino Dini, with the proceeds donated to Food for Gaza.

The PASS Congress concluded in the best way possible - with a celebratory networking (also invite-only) party at Drink Kong, with signature cocktails by Rome’s own, now internationally known 50 Best Bars with bubbles by Piper Heidsieck.