Talk about golden hour! At the end of day two, attendees gathered on the ancient battlements of La Rocca to enjoy honey-hued cocktails with a panoramic view over the cyprus-studded hills. Perched at the high point of the medieval Borgo, this ancient castle set the scene for an evening that was nothing short of the bee’s knees! With the buzz of conversation and the sweet serenade of a live band floating on the breeze, the Engage!25 Tuscany castle dinner was officially underway.
The theme was ‘Bee Beauty,’ paying tribute to the magic and meaning of the hive while exploring its geometry, harmony, and deep-rooted symbolism. It was a perfect metaphor for the Engage! community itself since, like worker bees, we are industrious, interconnected, and inspired by the intricate work we each contribute to the creative industry. As the sun went down, guests made a bee-line for the candle-lit marquee. Here, Creative Director, Vincenzo Dascanio transformed the theme into an extraordinary, immersive dinner experience.
Bee Beauty: A Contemporary Exploration of the Hive
For the Engage!25 Tuscany castle dinner, the bee theme was more than just a clever motif. It was also a celebration of the hive and its influence on art, design, and biodiversity. Bees hold a special place in Florentine culture, most famously honored in the monument of Ferdinando I de’ Medici, where a swarm of bees at the base represents the loyalty and energy of the Florentine people. Legend has it that whoever manages to count the bees without touching them will have good luck. That same symbolism of beauty in order and strength in unity ran through every detail of the evening.
Bee-utiful Details: Setting & Décor
The Engage!25 Tuscany castle dinner setting at La Rocca was truly fit for a queen (bee or otherwise!). Blending centuries of history with contemporary flair, its stone walls, reclaimed terracotta, and rustic wood finishes created a sense of old-world intimacy. Inside a clear marquee, guests were transported into a modern take on a beehive. The hexagonal motif was displayed throughout, from a honeycomb bar to lamp shades, sculptural vases, and place cards. Giant wings hung suspended above the dining space. Tables were set with gilded flatware, bee-printed linens, and gold-rimmed glassware. Meanwhile, structural honeycomb-inspired centerpieces overflowed with flowers in shades of amber and yellow.
TPD Design House, our long-time creative partner, elevated the evening’s paper details with laser-cut menus with sculpted embossing inspired by hive geometry. They had guests buzzing! Bee-shaped cocktail menus also added a whimsical touch to the bar.
Engage!25 Tuscany Castle Dinner Food and Drink
Just as bees gather the finest nectar, La Rocca Executive Chef Davide De Simone curated a menu for us that was a love letter to local ingredients and fine dining. The meal began with a delicate Vitello Tonnato. Then, a pan-fried sea bass with salsa verde and eggplant caponata followed, a bright, bold harmony of flavor. The final flourish was a mandarin mousse that referenced the theme with honey cream yogurt, spelt, and hazelnut.
The cocktail menu also took its inspiration from the hive. The ‘Sweet Harmony’ blended saffron tequila blanco with elderflower honey, lemon, and a kick of Tabasco for a complex yet balanced sip. Meanwhile, the ‘Apple Tea’ (a non-alcoholic mix of apple juice, honey, and ginger cordial) was sweet as could ‘bee’. And both had attendees swarming to the bar!
The Dress Code: Golden and Glowing
The dress code for the evening was ‘golden and glowing,’ and guests absolutely delivered! They shimmered in soft gold, black, and yellow gowns and honey-colored blazers. From gilded heels and nectar-toned clutches to playful bee accessories that added a stylish nod to the theme, the entire evening looked like it had been dipped in Tuscan sunlight.
The night two dinner was a celebration not just of Tuscany’s natural beauty, but of the golden community that makes Engage! so special. It reminded us that, when working together, we can create something beautiful and enduring.
To see more from the Engage!25 Tuscany castle dinner, view the full photo gallery here.
