Curated by Garum, Library and Museum of Cuisine.

Presented on the occasion of Mercanteinfiera Fall, the exhibition “A World of Menus” unveils a selection of 80 masterpieces chosen from the a collection of over 400 original pieces. The exhibition offers an intriguing excursus through historic cards and documents that bore witness to official luncheons and gala dinners, guiding visitors on an extraordinary journey through institutional meetings, historic political agreements, and lavish royal weddings.

The history of the menu is a fascinating narrative rooted in the early nineteenth century, uniquely capturing the evolution of gastronomy, social customs, and major international history. The exhibition route hosts pieces of exceptional rarity: from the oldest known printed menu (dated 1803) to a very rare surviving artifact from the Titanic; from the handwritten page with an autographed dedication by Gabriele D’Annunzio for the luncheon of the Bersaglieri ciclisti (cycling infantry) in Fiume, to the sumptuous menus of British royal weddings, from Charles and Diana to William and Kate.

The profound historical and cultural value of this collection was recently consecrated on an international level by the prestigious Gourmand Awards 2025, which honored the catalog “A World of Menus – Great History at the Table” as a fundamental testament to the history of dining and global culture.