The Borghese brothers: “Maistà, building a bridge between Italy and Switzerland through authenticity”

As the Main Sponsor of the Italian Cuisine Festival in Switzerland, Maistà is a leading name in the distribution of Italy’s finest gastronomic products on the Swiss market. What began as a small family-run shop has grown over the years into an established business, driven by the vision and determination of the Borghese brothers, Martino and Giuseppe, co-founders and owners of the company. Quality, authenticity and the promotion of Italy’s diverse regions have always been the guiding principles behind their work.

What does Italian cuisine mean to a company like Maistà?

«For us, Italian cuisine is much more than a collection of products: it is culture, tradition, a sense of place and, above all, people. Ours is a family story. We started out with a small neighbourhood shop, a great deal of passion and limited resources. Over the years, we have built a business that now enables us to bring a wide selection of outstanding Italian products to Switzerland, serving even the most discerning customers. This journey has taught us one important lesson: behind every great Italian product, there is always a story. Our job is to understand it, respect it and bring it to the Swiss market in the best possible way».

Why did you choose to support the Italian Cuisine Festival in Switzerland?

«For us, it is a great pleasure and a genuine honor. The Festival perfectly reflects what we do every day: build a bridge between Italy and Switzerland through food and promote a heritage that belongs to us all. We believe initiatives like this are important because they offer an opportunity to showcase authentic Italy: its regions, producers, traditions and regional specialties. Being a partner of the Festival also means helping to promote a culture of Italian products founded on quality and authenticity».

What are your plans for promoting Italian cuisine?

«Our primary mission is to keep on selecting and distributing authentic products that represent Italy’s different regions. Italy has an extraordinary wealth of gastronomic traditions, yet abroad, people are often familiar with only some of its best-known specialties. We want to help introduce lesser-known producers, small businesses and regional products that deserve greater recognition. We also believe it is essential to tell the story behind each product: not just what is being sold, but where it comes from, who makes it and what makes it special».

What more could be done to promote Made in Italy abroad?

«We should invest even more in communicating what makes Italian products authentic. Made in Italy should not simply be a label, but a guarantee of heritage, quality, regional identity and expertise. Greater collaboration is needed between producers, distributors, restaurateurs, chefs and institutions. Together, we can better showcase the extraordinary diversity of Italian gastronomy while helping consumers distinguish authentic products from imitations and Italian sounding products that misleadingly evoke Italian origins. For us, it is important that when an Italian product reaches a foreign market, it brings with it the story of its region and the people who made it».

What is the market looking for today?

«The market increasingly demands quality, but also transparency, authenticity and reliability. Consumers have become more discerning and want to know where the products they buy come from. In the premium segment, moreover, an excellent product alone is not enough: consistency, service, expertise and the ability to communicate its value are essential. This is precisely where Italy has enormous potential. We have extraordinary products, but we must be able to showcase them and communicate their value in the right way».

What does it mean for Maistà to be an ambassador for Made in Italy?

«Above all, it means to be true to our roots. We are a family that started with a small shop and, step by step, through hard work and passion, built a business that now serves a substantial customer base in Switzerland. Having the opportunity to bring the finest products from Italy’s different regions to Swiss tables every day is a source of great pride for us. We do not see ourselves simply as distributors: we like to think of ourselves as a link between those who produce in Italy and those in Switzerland who want to discover and appreciate the very best of our gastronomy».

What is your vision for the future?

«To keep on growing without losing sight of our origins. Our own history has given us the values that continue to guide us today: staying connected to our regions, choosing quality and building lasting relationships. Made in Italy has a tremendous international opportunity ahead of it. We are proud to contribute every day to showcasing an Italy defined not only by major brands, but above all by its regions, producers, families and truly outstanding products».

The Borghese Brothers