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Local flavours: Among the offerings at Bistrot will be a bakery, caffetteria and delicatessen |
ITALY. Autogrill has opened its Bistrot concept in the motorway channel for the first time.
Bistrot was developed in collaboration with Italy’s University of Gastronomic Science (UNISG) and is based on craft techniques and the use of local Italian products.
It will be located in the Arda service area in Fiorenzuola d’Arda (Piacenza) on the A1 Turin-Piacenza-Brescia motorway.
Autogrill CEO Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos launched the project today (5 April) at an event in the renovated Fiorenzuola d’Arda service area attended by Italy’s Vice Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Senator Andrea Olivero, and representatives from UNISG.
“For tourists and daily travellers, this location is a showcase for culinary specialities scrupulously preserved all over Italy and an excellent visiting card for our inestimable heritage of food production and cooking,” said Olivero.
Tondato Da Ruos commented: “With [this] opening we are going back to the roots of our history to look to the future, a future in line with the course Autogrill has set itself, driven by innovation and excellence through the constant transformation of its offering.
“Drawing on Bistrot’s success in Europe, we are now taking a new step forward by introducing this brand for the first time on the Italian motorway network and enabling motorists to get to know the excellent products of an area with a great wealth of farming and food traditions.”
With a layout inspired by covered markets, Bistrot features a bakery serving pizzas, bread and local cakes and pastries; a caffetteria; and a fresh fruit & vegetable area on the ground floor. On the upper level, fresh pasta and street food-style dishes are offered, along with a delicatessen.
Autogrill expects Bistrot Fiorenzuola d’Arda to serve about 1.90 million customers over the course of the next 12 months. The new service area employs 100 people on a stable basis and may reach 150 during seasonal peaks, according to the company.
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Sustainability focus: Bistrot Fiorenzuola d’Arda combines concepts of “naturalness, in-season and local supply and respect for the lifecycle of the products” |
