2026 Milan Design Week is around the corner. One delicious, can’t-miss Nordic highlight? IKEA’s immersive ‘Food for Thought’ exhibition, where culinary creativity meets interior design. Expect mouthwatering menus, expert tips on cooking and interiors, performances by local artists, and more
IKEA might be best known for its meatballs, but for the 2026 Milan Design Week, the Swedish furniture giant is venturing far beyond the spherical delights.
Held in the bustling Porta Venezia district from April 21 to 26 – and free for anyone to pop by – IKEA introduces ‘Food for Thought’, an immersive exhibition that explores “how design reflects the way we cook, eat, and connect with each other.”
Co-created with acclaimed interior designers and chefs plucked from across the globe, much like the rooms we roam through in IKEA stores, the showcase features a must-see installation housing five distinct room settings. The spaces have been co-curated by five creative duos, which pair an interior designer with a chef. The result? Playful, vibrant rooms where IKEA’s design prowess meets the culinary world, with both the surroundings and the menu inspired by everyday, food-centred moments at home.
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The talents featured at the 'Food for Thought' exhibition. Photo: IKEA
At the engaging exhibition, visitors have a unique chance to marvel at live cooking demos hosted by a different duo each day. Watch as they dole out hot culinary and interior design tips, while transforming the show kitchen into a buzzy hub. The pairings include designer and architect Charlotte Taylor with chef Ben Lippett; interior designer Maye Ruiz with chef Rosio Sanchez; art director Mehek Malhotra with chef Maurizio Tentella; multidisciplinary artist Lydia Chan with chef Alessandra Lauria; and interior designer Oliver Lyttelton with recipe developer and content creator Tina Choi.
If you miss the live demos, fret not. The ‘Food for Thought’ exhibition runs all day and features plenty of other can’t-miss events, such as live DJ sets and performances by local artists. Feeling peckish after all that walking? Grab a snack from the Swedish saluhall-inspired courtyard market or the hit Hotdog Extravaganza with exclusive toppings whipped up by the chefs, then pull up a seat and soak in the lively atmosphere. As twilight cloaks the city, the showcase turns into an ambient aperitivo bar, serving up freshly prepared menus inspired by the installation’s rooms.
Milan Design Week is a fertile ground for new design launches, and IKEA is joining in. During the week, the brand will also unveil three products from the upcoming tenth edition of its flagship IKEA PS collection, as well as introduce other fresh designs from some of its most cherished collaborators.
IKEA’s ‘Food for Thought’ exhibition at Spazio Maiocchi (Via Achille Maiocchi 7) opens its doors to the public on 21 April. A free IKEA-wrapped bus will run daily from 09:00-19:00, with multiple stops throughout the city to the exhibition. Check out the full schedule here.