At the world-famous Italian Fashion Show Academia Barilla constructed a gourmet space named "Taste - The Italian Art Form" where it served lunches and guided product tastings for VIPs of fashion, film, arts and the media.

The heart of this space was a tasting station where visitors learned to asses and appreciate extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, matured cheeses and Prosciutto di Parma - all from the Academia Barilla product collection.

Over the course of nine days the young and critically acclaimed New York artist Miguel Payano painted a mural on the theme of "The High Art of Gastronomy." Payano and his mural drew crowds, and the artist donated his work to Academia Barilla students and instructors.