AS the hugely popular Festa Italiana gets underway (full preview) here’s our Fave Five treats to get you in the Dolce Vita mood at Manchester’s vibrant celebration of all things Italian.
This family-friendly, fun-packed event runs from Friday, July 26 to Sunday July 28, back for its third year in Cathedral Gardens with an even bigger array of food and drink options. Whether the Riviera style heatwave will last is in the lap of the Roman gods. Just let’s say the gelato traders are praying it will
1 FESTA FIERO
The Friday opening party (from 6pm till late) is fuelled by the summer’s hot new ‘spritz’ cocktail Martini Fiero and there’s a FREE COCKTAIL and free aperitivo for the first 200 people to arrive at the in the Festa Marquee, transformed into a party venue, where Martini experts will be making and serving Fiero and tonics from a central bar. along with benchmark Italian cocktail list featuring Negronis, Vodka Martinis and the fizzy twist on classic Negroni – the Sbagliato. While local DJs soundtrack the fun celebrity stylist Andrew Trott-Barn will be hosting a free glam station to give you that party look.
2 SUBURBS MEETS CITY BANQUET
Here fellow Neapolitans Francesco Scafuri, above, from Tre Ciccio (Altrincham, Bramhall and Ramsbottom) and city centre Salvi’s owner (and festival founder) Maurizio Cecco, are create the ultimate four course spread celebrating their home town. It will be hosted by food critic and and tour guide Jonathan Schofield, on Saturday, July 27, from 7.30pm, in the Festa Marquee. Tickets cost £50; buy them here.
3 MEET GENNARO CONTALDO
In the Festa Marquee from 11am-5pm on the Saturday and Sunday the Live Cookery Theatre will showcase a host of Italian chefs from Manchester to Italy, including at 3pm Saturday a free cookery demo by telly chef and Jamie Oliver sidekick Gennaro Contaldo who will be signing copies of his books after. The full theatre schedule is here.
4 BAMBINI GARDENS – IT’S CHILD’S PLAY
Family has always been a focus of Festa Italiana and there's a full programme of kids’ activities from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Head down the ‘Bambini Garden’, a VIP area for the little ones with bell tents each housing a different activity. The fun includes Venetian mask making, vegetable pot planting, face painting, jugglers and performers. There’ll be plenty of kids’ food and drink options across the Festa site too, including lots of fresh juice, pizza, pasta, ice cream, crepes and Nutella. And, if your youngsters really want to feel the kitchen heat…
5 MASTER PASTA WITH CARMELLA
Food writer and events planner Carmella Serano Hayes is running free fresh pasta making workshops throughout the weekend, sharing her passion for home-cooked family dinners rooted in her native Puglia. There’s no need to book, families can just turn up on the day and join in. She will be teaching kids how to make pasta dough in a variety of shapes.
Full information and updates can be found on the festival website.