Germana Cabrelle Topics Covered
This was the common thread of “Gensy – Ulysses’ Sicily”, the biennial congress organized by the association chaired by Tony Lo Coco, which last weekend transformed Palermo and the meeting spaces of the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes in a lively laboratory of well-being and hospitality.
"It took long months of preparation," Lo Coco said on the speakers' stage, "to create an event that would unite culture, taste, and identity.
Palermo was chosen for its historical charm and the strength of its traditions."
Flavors that heal, places that welcome: Ulysses' Sicily
The journey into the flavour and culture of the island began with the widespread dinners in the most famous restaurants and taverns in the city and its immediate suburbs, including Bagheria, where starred chefs have interpreted local products in a contemporary way. Then the part congressional, the reflective heart of the event, continued with non-stop debates, talks, and discussions between industry professionals. "The focus is well-being," emphasized Luciano Pennisi, vice president of the association – and to achieve this we must put people at the center of the hospitality project. Some results are already tangible, others still to be achieved. "Gensy (an anglicized extension of the Latin etymology gens) was not just a banquet, but a real cultural construction site where business takes on the face of tourism and its related industries. Because all-round well-being, as the work revealed, depends on the quality of food, the environment we live in, and the experiences we have.
Sicily, a container of ideas and passions
To make the debate even more precious, at the opening of the proceedings, the intervention of the chef Cuttaia Pine, who defined Gensy as "a container of ideas, a place for colleagues from all over Italy to exchange ideas and get to the heart of hospitality and food, authentic ambassadors of the territory." The event's partner is UniCredit, reference bank in Sicily, represented during the conference by Salvatore Malandrino, who recalled that in 2024, the following were paid out: 1.25 billion euros in new financing pto support the tourism and agri-food sectors. "We want to inspire attention, interest, and love for a region that is made up of many souls, including solidarity," said Malandrino. On Sunday, November 9, 2025, the grand finale, open to the public, took place at the Palermo Botanical Garden, with over 40 chefs. Ulysses' Sicily protagonists of a great street food event dedicated to the flavors of the island. This year's Gensy had a strong social impact, supporting the associations La Farfalla Lilla and Stella Danzante, active in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
An island in dialogue with the world
Sicily, after all, is already an international brand: with 23 DOC and 7 IGT It boasts the largest vineyard area in Italy and a constantly growing tourism - 21 million attendances in 2024, with a sharp increase in foreign visitors. Cinema, too, has contributed to strengthening the island's attractive identity through its film commissions, choosing Sicilian sets and landscapes. The theme is "Nourish yourself with love, cultivate the pleasure of food by feeling good at the table» It was moderated by Paul Vizzari, a gastronomic narrator and son of a chef, who led the audience on a journey through taste, awareness, and conviviality. Michelin-starred chef Davide Oldani and food expert Chiara Maci spoke, while the afternoon featured two focused discussions on the hotel industry. The first was moderated by travel journalist Elisabetta Canoro, with contributions from articles editor Beatrice Tomasini, Alex Candini, architect and designer Viviana Haddad, and Marcello Mangia, president and CEO of the Mangia's group. This was followed by another talk moderated by writer Federica Brunini, with contributions from hospitality expert Sara Magro and philosopher Franco Riva. This was an intense, well-rounded, and well-attended event, which confirmed how, in Sicily, nourish the body and cultivate the soul These two gestures intertwine, describing an island where hospitality, flavors, and culture come together, inspired by Ulysses and the curiosity that drives every modern explorer.