About Ilaria

A slice of Italy comes to Bridport.

A native of Verona, Ilaria Padovani is a graduate of Parma’s Science of Gastronomy degree course, and her career in food has taken her from the farms that produce Monte Veronese DOP, to working with legendary retailers and wholesalers including La Cave Fromage and Gastronomica, supplying the finest Italian restaurants in London, like Locanda Locatelli and L’Anima. She has also worked with food journalist Davide Paolini for Gastronauta, and was mentioned in Dino Joannides’s book Semplice.

Ilaria relocated to Bridport, Dorset in 2013 and established Mercato Italiano ltd, supplying the very best and hard-to-find delicacies directly from Italy to foodies in the UK, with infectious enthusiasm, integrity and (ovviamente) passion.  Ilaria can be found at her weekly market stalls in West Dorset, food events throughout the West of England, and curating courses for restaurants throughout the UK. She has established a loyal customer base in the South West, and supplies a growing number of restaurants with both ingredients and her knowledge of the best Italian producers.