At Engage!25 Tuscany, even the lunches were events to remember. Designed as full sensory experiences, these midday moments brought together the flavors, textures, and rhythms of Tuscany in true Engage! style. Whether gathered around long tables in a trattoria or lounging poolside under a canopy of olive trees, attendees savored connection, conversation, and creativity – as well as delicious food. The Engage!25 Tuscany lunches also celebrated the region’s rich agricultural heritage and la dolce vita spirit in two beautifully contrasting settings. One paid homage to the land itself, with a rooted, veggie-forward theme, while the other invited guests to picnic under the Tuscan sun. With each bite, these lunches reflected what Engage! does best: transforming everyday occasions into cherished memories.
Nature’s Palette: Lunch at Il Rosmarino
Nestled within Castelfalfi’s hillside estate, Il Rosmarino restaurant is a love letter to homely Tuscan cooking. On day two, it became the setting for a lunchtime celebration themed around ‘Nature’s Palette.’ We were welcomed into a vibrant world where vegetables took center stage. Not just on the plate but in the design itself!
Theme & Décor
Il Rosmarino’s rustic charm set the stage for a lively, market-inspired scene. The design drew up Tuscany’s agricultural roots, with a rainbow gradient of produce. Tomatoes, artichokes, aubergines, peppers, carrots, as well as other root vegetables, were arranged into an artful installation, with a centerpiece sculpted entirely of bright green broccoli. Long wooden tables were decked with smaller veggie arrangements, as well as olive linen napkins, Radicchio chargers, and hand-painted ceramic details. Custom menus from TPD Design House were also placed at each setting, shaped like small cabbages. Each leaf unfolded to reveal the courses within. The guests themselves were dressed for the theme, in an earthy palette of greens, browns, oranges, and purples.
Menu
The first of our Engage!25 Tuscany lunches was served family-style, encouraging attendees to break bread and build bonds. Platters of Aubergine Parmigiana and toasted chicken liver brioche made their way down the tables, as well as Pappa al Pomodoro (a traditional Tuscan tomato soup). The main course, Mezze Maniche all’Aglione, was topped with creamy Burrata cheese and fresh basil.
This was a meal that brought people together. Not just to eat, but to connect over a shared love of place and flavor. It also reminded us to stay grounded, stay present, and stay curious as we went on to the afternoon’s activities.
Sunshine & Sandwiches: A Picnic by the Pool
If Il Rosmarino was all about earthy elegance, the next day’s lunch was a breath of fresh air. It was light, bright, and effortlessly chic! Set beside the glittering blue of the Giglio Blu Pool Bar, this casual yet thoughtfully curated picnic captured the essence of Tuscany’s sun-soaked charm. With panoramic views of the valleys below and the scent of olive trees in the air, it felt like a Fellini film scene.
Guests swapped farm tables for poolside loungers and filled up individual wicker baskets with gourmet panini, cheese, and charcuterie, as well as vibrant salads and just-baked desserts. Sandwiches were wrapped in newsprint-style paper, one of many playful touches that brought elegance to the easygoing setup.
The vibe? Pure dolce far niente – that delicious art of doing nothing at all. Attendees kicked off their shoes, pulled up a seat beneath an umbrella, and soaked up the gorgeous weather. With the clinking of glasses and the laughter of new friends in the background, it was the kind of afternoon you wish you could bottle.
The Art of the Luncheon
The Engage!25 Tuscany lunches were more than meals. Each one reflected a different facet of the region: the flavors of the land, the beauty of intentional design, and the warmth of community gathered together. At Engage!, even lunch becomes a masterclass in creativity and storytelling. These two gatherings reminded us that time spent around a table can feed more than just the appetite.
To see more delicious details from the Engage!25 Tuscany lunches, view the full gallery here.
