Following the success of its previous international presentations in Tashkent and Washington, D.C.,The Taste of Italian Design, curated by Elisabetta Pisu and presented by the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago in collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago, continues its international tour with a stop in Chicago as part of the 11th edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World.

Hosted at the Design Museum of Chicago, located in the Loop, 12 November 2026 to 4 March 2027, the exhibition explores the evolution of Italian kitchenware design through original creations and objects by some of Italy’s greatest designers. The 25 pieces in the exhibit investigate the relationship between Made in Italy design and food culture, guiding visitors on a chronological journey from the 1930s to the present day and highlighting some of the most representative designers, brands and objects in the history of Italian industry.

“Design and cuisine,” notes Chiara Avanzato, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, “have always been closely connected. Both in museums and in the everyday life of our homes, these objects tell the story of Italy’s evolution through rituals, traditions and innovations related to the table, becoming cultural symbols and icons of Italian food culture. The kitchen, as a place of conviviality and cultural exchange, is one of the most meaningful spaces of everyday life. Through this exhibition emerges design’s unique ability to become part of daily living, enriching it with beauty and functionality while creating connections and shared cultural narratives, bringing Italian history, creativity and innovation to audiences around the world.”

Timeless Icons and Innovation

The Taste of Italian Design presents iconic objects that have shaped the history of food preparation and presentation and remain deeply embedded in the collective imagination associated with the ritual of the table. Alongside these are pieces that mark important technological developments, offering visitors a selection that highlights not only innovative solutions but, above all, design as a reflection of its time, of changing habits, values and meanings. As Gio Ponti once observed: “Even a knife, a fork or a tray should accommodate human gestures with complete naturalness and elegance, because the objects we use shape our thoughts.”

From small accessories designed for the mise en place to kitchen tools for food preparation, each object on display reflects the craftsmanship and distinctive sense of form that define Italian design, combining functionality and aesthetics, technological innovation and beauty. Highlights include Philippe Starck’s Juicy Salif, iconic lemon squeezer for Alessi (1990), Zaha Hadid’s Forma, a fluidly shaped grater for Alessi (2021), Gae Aulenti’s Toast for Trabo (1997), Matteo Ragni’s Matarél (2017), crafted from transparent borosilicate-glass, and Gio Ponti’s Conca, ergonomic cutlery set produced by Sambonet since 1955.

“The processes related to preparing, serving and storing food,” explains curator Elisabetta Pisu, “have always been central to Italian culture since the days of Ancient Rome, as has the pursuit of the perfect balance between functionality and style. In this way, artisans and, more recently, designers and architects created refined and technologically innovative objects that became true icons renowned all over the world and are now part of the history of Italian design.”

Italy and the United States: A Dialogue Through Design

The cultural dialogue between Italy and the United States is further strengthened through a special section of the exhibition curated by the Design Museum of Chicago. For this presentation, the Museum invited Chicago-based designers Ian Alistair Cochran, Felicia Ferrone, Jordan Mozer, Craighton Berman, Christopher Gentner and Zak Rose to showcase their work alongside the Italian collection. Through bringing these contemporary voices into conversation with the history of Italian design, the exhibition deepens the exploration of shared ideas around craft, innovation, functionality, and aesthetics while highlighting the distinctive creative language of Chicago’s design community.

Support of the Design Museum of Chicago provided by One Design Company.

exhibition photography