The Acqualagna White Truffle Fair near Rome (under 2 hours by car) runs every Sunday in November with truffle hunters, tastings and Marchigiano cuisine, the regional alternative to Alba.
Tip: Free entry; truffle pasta plates cost €25-35 at the stalls. The Sunday lunch slot is the busiest.
Address: Acqualagna, Pesaro Urbino (130km from Rome)
Roma Beer Week runs one week each October across 30 bars and breweries in the city, with tap-takeovers, brewer dinners and Italian craft beer producers from across the peninsula.
Tip: Free entry to most events; tap-takeovers run nightly. The opening party at Be.Re. is the biggest slot.
Vinoforum in Rome is the city's largest annual wine fair, running nine days each June at Parco Tor di Quinto with 750 Italian producers, masterclasses and chef-led tastings.
Tip: Buy tickets online; €25 evening pass with five tastings. Friday and Saturday nights sell out a week ahead.
Taste of Roma at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome runs four days each September with 30 starred-and-named chefs cooking €8-15 tasting plates side by side.
Tip: Thursday evening is the easiest slot; Saturday lunch sells out three weeks ahead. Tickets €25 to €45.
Eurochocolate Roma at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome is the satellite Roma edition of the Perugia chocolate festival, running five days each November with tastings.
Tip: Buy tickets online for the weekend; the Sunday afternoon slot is the busiest. Tickets €12 to €25.
Sagra della Porchetta di Ariccia in the Castelli Romani town near Rome celebrates the slow-roasted Ariccian pork tradition each September with four days of porchetta stalls.
Tip: Free entry; arrive Saturday or Sunday lunch. Porchetta sandwiches cost 6 euros at the stalls.
Festa di Frascati in the Castelli Romani wine town near Rome celebrates the Frascati DOC white wine each October with three days of tastings, food stalls and local producers.
Tip: Free entry; tastings cost 5 euros per glass. The Saturday evening producer's parade is the highlight.