THE Italians are fighting back. The large Spanish presence at this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival has been well documented, but one of the most exciting culinary adventures at MFDF has its roots in Naples.
That’s the home town of Maurizio Cecco, genial mastermind behind the local Salvi’s chain, and its plentiful produce will be celebrated at the daylong Salvi’s Italian Festival (Sunday October 2), centred on the Festival Hub in Albert Square and culminating in a bespoke four-course Italian Gala Dinner, in association with Aperol and Peroni, at Salvi’s Corn Exchange restaurant.
At just £40 a head it’s one of the bargains of the Festival. Diners will enjoy an Aperol drinks reception, dinner and live music plus the chance to create their own Peroni beer cocktail during the evening. To book phone Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar on 0161 222 8021.
Or you might just want to mooch around the Hub marquee (noon-6pm), maybe take in a masterclass or sample stuff at the mini-market teeming with authentic Neapolitan produce – cheeses, olive oils, wines, breads, meats and sweet treats and the Mozzarella for which Salvi’s is famous.
There will be live cookery demos from well-known Italian chefs such as Francesco Mazzei of the Sartoria in London, and Carlo Molon, exec chef at the Milan Sheraton and an old catering college pal of Maurizio’s. There’ll also be drinks tastings, a ‘Nonna Pasta Making Station’, plus live music from a band flown in from Naples.
Maurizio and his team are also crafting a 20 metre pizza. For £5 customers can enjoy a slice with a Peroni.
Away from the Hub Salvi’s restaurants (John Dalton Street and Corn Exchange) and their Rostecceria (John Dalton Street) will be sampling their best produce in store all day too, with 20 per cent off food for all those who sign up to the Salvi’s mailing list.
Specialist Italian food and heritage walks will start at the Festival Hub, stopping at Salvi’s venues along the way for refuelling. Places on the tour are limited and cost £10. To buy tickets visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com.
Maurizio tells ToM: “We wanted to bring a true taste of Neapolitan life to Manchester for the Food and Drink Festival. So we have really pulled the stops out to make sure that this is a day and night where the people of Manchester can really immerse themselves in Italian culture – mozzarella, beer, pizza, cocktails, music, cheese and bread, and even some Manchester Italian history and masterclasses.
“But it’s all about food, drink and joy – just like it is back home when we celebrate in Naples! Hopefully this can be an annual celebration.”
