On the occasion of Food Day 2026 , ” Riso Sorriso ” (Rice Smile) took place on Monday, May 11th. This morning, dedicated to primary school students, introduced them to the world of rice through play, experience, and storytelling. The event was held in the splendid setting of Palazzo Bovara, headquarters of Confcommercio Milano .
Promoted by Confcommercio Milano together with EPAM Fipe Milano , the “Riso Sorriso” initiative was born with the aim of transmitting to new generations the value of agriculture, craftsmanship and the food supply chain , at a time in history in which the relationship with food and the land takes on an increasingly important meaning.
Leading the children’s morning were Alessandro Negrini , chef-patron of Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia together with Fabio Pisani, and Andrea Bianchi of Riso Isos , accompanying the little participants on an educational journey to discover one of the symbolic foods of Italian gastronomic culture and the Lombardy region .
To make the experience even more immersive, a rice paddy was symbolically recreated within Palazzo Bovara, complete with a small pool. This allowed the children to immerse themselves in the work of the rice weeders, gaining a simple and direct understanding of the dedication, care, and knowledge behind every grain of rice that reaches our tables.
An experiential workshop combining education, memory, and gastronomic culture. Through Chef Negrini’s storytelling, the young participants discovered not only the characteristics of rice, but also the human and cultural value of agricultural labor and Italian craftsmanship.
The morning was opened by Davide Rampello , who introduced the project, emphasizing the importance of building a dialogue between new generations, the local area, and food traditions. The initiative was organized in collaboration with APCI – Associazione Professionale Cuochi Italiani (Italian Professional Chefs Association) and the Campo dell’Oste farm .
Among the personalities present , Lino Stoppani , president of FIPE Confcommercio, Marco Barbieri, general secretary of Confcommercio and Sonia Re, general director of APCI
Restaurant Day 2026 thus confirms itself not only as an event dedicated to Italian cuisine, but also as a concrete opportunity to educate young people about food and instill respect for the land, for agricultural work, and for those products that represent our country’s cultural identity.
“Riso Sorriso” has transformed laughter into a tool for storytelling, play, and awareness: a simple gesture, yet capable of leaving a profound mark on the new generations.
