Our Story
Ilaria Padovani
Ilaria is a native of Verona, graduating from the University of Parma with a degree in Science of Gastronomy, her career in food has taken her from the farms that produce Monte Veronese DOP, to working with legendary retailers and wholesalers including La Cave Fromage and Gastronomica ltd, supplying the finest Italian restaurants in London, like Locanda Locatelli and L’Anima.
She has also worked with food journalist Davide Paolini for Gastronauta, mentioned in Dino Joannides’s book Semplice and recently has collaborated with Italian food writer Anna del Conte.
Ilaria relocated to Bridport, Dorset in 2013 and established Mercato Italiano, supplying the finest formaggi e salumi to customers via a weekly market stall in Bridport and food events in the west of England, as well as curating courses for restaurants. She has established a loyal customer base in the south west, and supplies a growing number of restaurants with both wholesale ingredients and her knowledge of the best producers.
Bridport Market
Mercato Italiano was established as a weekly market stall supplying high quality cured meats and cheeses to the general public directly imported by Ilaria using her Italian produce contacts. This expanded out to include tasting experiences and food festivals. Trading now in Bridport Market twice a week and Axminster Market on a weekly basis, Popular produce include Gorgonzola Dolce, of which, Mercato Italiano is the only importer from this particular producer in the UK. Almost 10 years on the market stall is as much a Bridport staple as it is an authentic Italian experience.
Wholesale Supplier
Ilaria’s professional relationships with Italian producers and her skill of finding the highest quality produce led her to expand the Mercato Italiano business, supplying UK restaurants and cafes as a wholesale supplier with the best Italian ingredients imported directly by Mercato Italiano. Mercato Italiano is still the only business in the South West of England importing directly from Italian producers.
Pizzeria & Café
After moving to our current location closer into town, we realised that we had the capacity to be able to offer our customers, who have been buying our produce for nearly ten years, the ability to experience authentic Napoletana pizza, some of the best coffee in town, panini, platters and more! Even though we supply our quality ingredients to great restaurants, we felt we should put our mark on the industry creating the Mercato Italiano Pizzeria & Café focusing on quality, simplicity, family and friends.