Megumi Ueda

After spending 15 years in Japan in PR, localization, and digital marketing, I packed up my life and moved to Italy mostly out of curiosity, and a little bit out of a love for good food and good drinks.

What I found here was far more than I expected. People with incredible stories, traditions that live in everyday meals, and a bar culture that is as warm and nuanced as the country itself.

Those encounters inspired me to create Martini Time, a project I run together with local experts to share the real heartbeat of Italy’s food and bar scene. Over the past five years, I’ve written for international publications, interviewed remarkable bartenders and chefs, and covered major events like Rome Bar Show, Athens Bar Show, and Sherbeth Festival, sometimes as a reporter, sometimes as a judge, always as a passionate observer.

What I love most is uncovering the stories behind what we eat and drink. The ideas that shape a chef’s philosophy, the evolution of craft spirits, the heritage behind traditional ingredients, and the cultural threads that connect it all. Writing in English, Italian, and Japanese allows me to bridge worlds and bring readers closer to the people and places I meet.

When I’m not working, I’m usually wandering into new bars across Italy, enjoying a slow aperitivo, or chasing down the latest gelato trend.

Through my work, I hope to share not just information, but the feelings, textures, and human moments that make Italy’s food and drink culture truly unforgettable.

If you’re curious about this world, I’m excited to take you with me!

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