Fiasconaro Opens First U.S. Flagship Store in SoHo with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Led by Italian Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele
October 21, 2025 | 3 min to read
Fiasconaro, the Sicilian artisanal pastry house founded in Castelbuono (1953), opened its first U.S. flagship in SoHo, bringing three generations’ mastery—celebrated panettone that traveled to space, served at the White House, and gifted to Popes—to New York. Led by Master Pastry Chef Nicola Fiasconaro with Fausto and Agata, the opening featured Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele, astronaut Luca Parmitano, tasting events, and a DJ set by Beach Fossils.
From a Medieval Sicilian Village to NASA’s Space Shuttle: Three Generations of Master Pastry Artisans Bring Italian Excellence to Manhattan with DJ Set by Beach Fossils
New York, NY — October 16th marks a unique moment for Italian excellence in New York: Fiasconaro, the legendary Sicilian artisanal pastry house born in Castelbuono in 1953, officially opened its first flagship store in the United States at 422 West Broadway in the heart of SoHo.
“For us, being in New York today is, in some ways, a natural step. For over thirty years, Made in Italy has triumphed here — from the first panettoni showcased at the Fancy Food Show to today,” said Nicola Fiasconaro. “With this Fiasconaro flagship store, we are bringing our Sicily to the heart of SoHo — its colors, scents, and harmonies that tell the story of Italian beauty.”
The story is extraordinary: three generations who journeyed from a medieval village in the Madonie mountains to 65 countries worldwide. Their panettone has traveled to space with NASA, been served at the White House, and gifted to three Popes. Their collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana has transformed packaging into collectible art. Today, Fiasconaro embodies the pinnacle of Made in Italy excellence on the global stage—and the inauguration during Columbus Week makes this moment even more symbolic in celebrating Italian heritage in America.
The grand opening ceremony, led by Consul General of Italy Fabrizio Di Michele at 5:00 PM, brought together an extraordinary gathering. Master Pastry Chef Nicola Fiasconaro—awarded the prestigious title of Cavaliere del Lavoro by President Mattarella in 2020—traveled from Sicily with his brothers Fausto, along with the third generation, Agata, to personally share their 70-year family legacy with New York.
Among the distinguished guests were Whoopi Goldberg and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, whose presence carried special significance—Fiasconaro panettone had already traveled to space in 2007 with astronaut Paolo Nespoli aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery, making it perhaps the only artisanal pastry to reach the stars.
“Having Luca Parmitano here in New York today is a great honor. Sicily is a land that always rises again — it radiates light, art, and culture. We share with him a bond of respect and friendship — he often surprises us by visiting us in Castelbuono — and we share the pride of bringing Italian beauty and talent to the world,” said Nicola Fiasconaro.
As the evening unfolded, New Yorkers experienced the mastery of Sicilian artisanal pastry through an immersive tasting of signature panettoni, artisanal spreads, and traditional confections. At 7:00 PM, Brooklyn indie band Beach Fossils provided the soundtrack with a DJ set—a particularly meaningful choice, as the band were headliners at the 2024 Ypsigrock Festival in Castelbuono itself, creating a perfect musical bridge between the medieval Sicilian village and Manhattan’s creative energy.
The culinary experience was elevated by savory offerings from Chef Ugo Mattei of Prima Cucina Corp, expertly paired with wines from Donnafugata, the celebrated Sicilian winery, as guests discovered why panettone has become the quintessential symbol of Italian holiday celebrations.
ABOUT FIASCONARO
Founded in Castelbuono, Sicily in 1953, Fiasconaro is a family-run pastry house now led by the second and third generation. Pioneer of Sicilian-style panettone, the company represents a true laboratory of taste where artisanal mastery meets innovation. Through the vision of Master Pastry Chef Nicola Fiasconaro and his brothers Fausto and Martino, Fiasconaro has transformed traditional Sicilian heritage pastry into an international ambassador of Made in Italy excellence, exporting to 65 countries while preserving its artisanal soul and unwavering commitment to quality. Rooted in Castelbuono, a 2023 candidate to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Fiasconaro embodies the harmony of tradition and innovation, expanding globally while remaining deeply connected to the land, ingredients, and culinary heritage of Sicily.