AT last a splash of sunshine – confirmation that Festa Italiana Manchester will be back for its third year of dishing up the dolce vita in Cathedral Gardens. Not that we ever doubted its return – the city has really taken it to its heart. Ciao Wow! Nearly 30,000 visitors flocked to last year’s free event.
The dates for 2019 are Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, with an expanded site and programme, making it the UK’s biggest and best festival celebrating Italian food, drink and culture. Above all it is a heartwarming collaboration between ‘rival’ restaurants and businesses.
This year the event will be expanding to take in a bigger area around the city’s ‘Medieval Quarter’ with even more Italian producers, chefs, food, drink and music schedules.
Open from 11am-11pm the daily programme will include live cookery demonstrations; an artisan Italian food market; a much bigger and more extensive kids’ fest for children of all ages; Italian banquets, and bespoke bars serving everything from Negroni to Meloncello. From morning through to sundown there’ll be live music from Italian bands and musicians flown over especially from Italy, alongside some of Manchester’s best DJs.
A key theme for this year will be the importance of cooking at home together as a family, and its impact on health and well-being – something that is a huge part of Italian culture. The Festa has also pledged to bring together Manchester’s Italian food community on the biggest scale yet. The ambition is to collaborate with even more of the city’s best Italian restaurants and food heroes, as well as more Italian brands from across the UK and Italy, than ever before.
The event was founded by the Salvi’s Restaurant Group – Manchester’s authentic Italian food specialists and experts in artisan Campania produce.
Salvi’s, owner and proud Neapolitan Maurizio Cecco (above left, doing a demo) told us: “Manchester has a rich Italian heritage and I’m proud to call this wonderful city home. Festa Italiana is all about bringing the traditions from my other home in Naples right here to Manchester – it’ a cultural exchange.
“We have been stunned by the popularity of the event. Last year was amazing, the place was packed with visitors enjoying all things Italian. This year we’re building on that success. It will truly be an Italian feast for all the senses.”
Any restaurants or brands who would like to be involved in this year’s festival are encouraged to email [email protected].
