Get ready, Osaka! The EU Food Festival is launching with a flavour-packed kick-off on 1–2 May, celebrating Europe’s finest foods with two delicious days of themed tastings, regional pairings, and culinary inspiration next to the EU Pavilion.
Deep Dives
1 May – Cheese: A European Classic
Savour the EU’s most iconic cheeses – from creamy textures to bold and nutty flavors. Taste sweet and spicy pairings, discover seasonal fruit combinations, and see why EU cheeses are loved around the world.
2 May – Olive Oils of Europe
Take a flavourful journey through the Mediterranean with exquisite EU olive oils. Sample everything from organic Greek to rich Portuguese PDO oils and try something new – like olive oil with miso soup! You’ll even get the chance to create your own fusion dressing, perfect for Japan’s seasonal vegetables.
Product Tastings
Drop by the EU Food Festival on Wheels, our mobile kitchen right next to the EU Pavilion, and treat yourself to a variety of delicious tastings throughout the day. This is a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of high-quality EU food and beverages, with creative pairings that blend European products and Japanese ingredients in unexpected and delightful ways.
Meet Tane-Chan!
Tane-Chan, our cheerful festival mascot, will be on hand to welcome guests and host a fun quiz during the sessions – test your knowledge of the EU and its amazing agri-food products!
Detailed programme
1 May
Starting from 9:30 until 19:30, enjoy food tastings !
- 11:30–11:50 - Let’s travel in the EU with EU cheese: Discover regional varieties and characteristics through comparative tasting.
- 13:00–13:20 - Spice & sweetness: Enjoy the taste of EU cheeses paired with pepper, jam, honey and more.
- 14:00 – 14:20 –Tane Chan quiz.
- 15:00–15:20 - Seasonal fruit pairings: Delight in unexpected matches like muscat grapes or peaches with your favourite EU cheeses.
- 16:00 – 16:20 - Tane Chan quiz.
- 17:00 – 17:20 – Tane Chan quiz.
2 May
Starting from 9:30 until 19:30, enjoy food tastings !
- 11:30–11:50 - Let’s travel in the EU with EU olive oils: Learn about different olive oil varieties and origins.
- 13:00–13:20 - A little more olive oil: Creative ways to enhance Japanese dishes like tofu and miso soup.
- 14:00 – 14:20 – Tane Chan quiz.
- 15:00–15:20 - Crafting dressings: Make fusion-style dressings with yuzu kosho, wasabi, soy sauce, and EU olive oils.
- 16:00 – 16:20 - Tane Chan quiz.
- 16:00 – 16:20 – Tane Chan quiz.
Meet our experts!
Cheese Professional Association (CPA)
Founded in 2000, the Cheese Professional Association is a leading Japanese trade organisation dedicated to promoting cheese culture throughout Japan. It brings together experts, distributors, restaurateurs, and cheese enthusiasts with the aim of raising awareness and appreciation for cheese. The CPA organises events, competitions, and professional training — most notably the prestigious Cheese Professional certification exam — helping to elevate standards of knowledge and expertise among both professionals and the general public
Japanese Olive Oil Taster’s Association (JOOTA)
JOOTA is the Japan Olive Oil Taster Association, a professional organisation in Japan that promotes olive oil quality and culture. They also host the JOOTA Awards, a Tokyo International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. The awards recognise excellence in extra virgin olive oils from around the world, with judging by professional tasters according to international standards.
Practical information
European Pavilion, Saving Live Zone, Expo Osaka
