JRE x Salone del Mobile 2025: A Fusion of Art and Gastronomy
From April 6 to 11, 2025, JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs collaborated with MARTINO CRESPI EVENTS to bring together five innovative chefs and five talented artists for an unforgettable series of exclusive dining experiences. Each evening featured a unique pairing of artist and chef, where the chefs crafted a four-course menu inspired by the artist’s works, blending the worlds of gastronomy and contemporary art.
The event took place during the renowned Salone del Mobile 2025 in Milan, where guests were invited to explore the intersection of culinary innovation and artistic expression. This exceptional collaboration allowed diners to immerse themselves in both the visual and culinary arts, experiencing how the artists' works inspired each chef's creative menu.
The Event Dates and Artist-Chef Pairings
Each day, a new artist's exhibition took place in Milan, showcasing their distinctive works, and each artist was paired with a chef to create a menu inspired by their art:
On April 6, Chris Soal, a South African artist, collaborated with Ksenija Mahorcic from Gostilna Mahorčič to create a unique dining experience. Soal’s work, exhibited at Galleria Piero Atchugarry, explores ecological themes through unconventional materials like toothpicks and bottle caps. The collaboration between the artist and the chef was a fusion of art and gastronomy, where the menu was inspired by the artist’s innovative approach to materials and concepts.
Photographer: Carlo Casella
Courtesy: MAZE | CHEFS X ARTISTS
On April 7, Thomas Ruff, one of Germany’s most influential contemporary photographers, was paired with Katrin Steindl from Der Unterwirt for a creative encounter blending visual and culinary expression. Ruff’s exhibition at Galleria Lia Rumma explored space-themed photography, featuring striking images of rockets and celestial objects. Steindl’s menu was a thoughtful interpretation of these cosmic themes, translating visual exploration into flavour and form.
Photographer: Carlo Casella
Courtesy: MAZE | CHEFS X ARTISTS
On April 8, Robert Mapplethorpe, an artist from the USA, his iconic works served as the visual counterpart to a culinary interpretation by Tomaž Kavčič from Gostilna pri Lojzetu. Presented at Galleria Franco Noero, the exhibition highlighted Mapplethorpe’s masterful balance of form and contrast, from provocative nudes to poetic still lifes of flowers. Kavčič responded with a bold, expressive menu that echoed the intensity and elegance of Mapplethorpe’s photography.
Photographer: Carlo Casella
Courtesy: MAZE | CHEFS X ARTISTS
On April 10, Italian Artist Salvatore Astore’s sculptural and painterly works set the tone for an evocative menu by Stefano Di Gennaro from Quintessenza. Exhibited at Mazzoleni Art, Astore’s exploration of anatomy—both human and animal—through industrial materials posed a poetic contrast to Di Gennaro’s refined, tactile cuisine, capturing the tension between strength and vulnerability.
Photographer: Carlo Casella
Courtesy: MAZE | CHEFS X ARTISTS
On April 11, Italian artist Gianni Caravaggio's poetic reinterpretation of sculpture found resonance in the culinary creations of Silvio Battistoni from Albergo Colonne. Shown at Kaufmann Repetto, Caravaggio’s minimalist and organic forms reflected on the essence of artistic expression, while Battistoni’s dishes echoed this exploration with a refined, elemental menu.
Photographer: Carlo Casella
Courtesy: MAZE | CHEFS X ARTISTS
This collaboration between JRE and Signature Kitchen Suite reflects a shared philosophy: valuing precision, innovation, and the idea of ‘True to Food’. It was an opportunity to celebrate not only Italian culinary heritage, but also the modern synergy between gastronomy and design.
