During the days when Florence lights up with creativity for Pitti Uomo, The Kitchen & The Bar – the restaurant overlooking the magnificent Piazza Santa Maria Novella – opened its doors to a special event dedicated to the THE PLACE of WONDERS Foundation.
Friends of THE PLACE of WONDERS – Pitti Edition was created as an invitation to the city and the international community: a moment of authentic encounter, designed to celebrate the artisans who preserve the value of time, materials, and the gestures that give shape to beauty.
The Kitchen & The Bar is thus confirmed as a lively space, a place where conviviality becomes storytelling and discovery, and where stories of craftsmanship and territory find a voice in harmony with the vision of the Foundation.
During the evening, new artisans who have joined THE PLACE of WONDERS Foundation were presented: realities that experience craftsmanship as a contemporary language capable of looking ahead without losing touch with their roots.
Collebi
Collebi was founded between Montelupo Fiorentino and San Miniato and embodies the authentic spirit of Tuscany, a region that preserves its history in its materials. In his studio, ceramics is an ancient ritual: the clay is modeled entirely by hand, using traditional techniques that produce simple, silent objects deeply connected to the artisan’s craft.
Alongside the studio, Collebi continues the history of Fattoria Collebrunacchi, the family’s agricultural property, where the vineyards tell a parallel story: wines—especially Sangiovese—born from respect for natural rhythms and the same care that guides the work of ceramics.
A dual soul, a single philosophy: material, time, balance.
The wines will be the stars of the evening, an integral part of Collebi’s narrative.
Bianchi e Nardi 1946
Founded in the heart of Florence in 1946, Bianchi e Nardi is one of the most refined names in Italian artisan leather goods. In Scandicci, where the workshop is located, generations of artisans have transformed fine leathers into objects capable of transcending eras and fashions.
Their creations—bags in the finest calfskin, accessories, models in precious materials and exotic leathers—embody a concept of craftsmanship that combines technical rigor, measured aesthetics, and a deep connection between hand, material, and form.
Each piece is a legacy that continues to reinvent itself.
Fattoria di Maiano
Illuminating the gastronomic narrative of the evening will be Fattoria di Maiano, a historic Fiesole-based farm that has been cultivating the relationship between man and the landscape for centuries. It is a place where the land is not only about production, but also memory and responsibility.
Their organic extra virgin olive oil—the fruit of historic olive groves—represents an agricultural tradition that endures and renews itself, thanks to an approach that respects natural cycles and rural knowledge.
A harmonious example of continuity, quality, and roots.
The photographic exhibition “Materia: Origine e Divenire” (Matter: Origin and Becoming) by Dario Garofalo
Once again, THE PLACE Firenze is hosting a selection of authentic, numbered prints from Dario Garofalo‘s photographic exhibition: a visual journey into the matter, gestures, time, and dedication of the Foundation’s artisans.
The works will be available for purchase and all proceeds will be donated to the Foundation to support scholarships and training courses.
The evening was accompanied by the creations of chef Asso Migliore, in a sensory journey designed to enhance the encounter with the artisans and their worlds.
An invitation to beauty and sharing
With this event, The Kitchen & The Bar renews its role as a symbolic place where stories, flavors, and people intertwine. Here, conviviality becomes an act of beauty and solidarity, a bridge between the city and those who dedicate their lives to preserving manual skills.
The THE PLACE of WONDERS Foundation is a social responsibility project created by the Babini family, owners of The Hospitality Experience collection.
Established in 2023 to protect and pass on Italian craftsmanship, the Foundation creates real opportunities for young people through scholarships, immersive experiences, and courses within the most prestigious workshops.
Chaired by Michela Canzi Blanc and inspired by Claudio Meli, the Foundation operates in Florence, Venice, and Perugia, with programs that combine hospitality, crafts, and community.
Since 2023, it has already funded over 30 scholarships, transforming each donation into a cultural, creative, and human investment.
