What's On
Italian food and drink festival coming to Manchester this summer
Here’s one for the foodies!
An Italian food and drink festival is coming to Manchester this summer.
This free to attend three-day event is returning to the city for a sixth year, at Cathedral Gardens, opposite Victoria train station.
Festa Italiana will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th, bringing a variety of authentic dishes straight from Manchester’s Italian kitchens for festival visitors to enjoy.
A whole range of favourite Italian street food vendors and restaurants are set to return with pop-up aperitivo bars and even masterclasses — where budding chefs can learn the art of pasta making and more.
Organised by Maurizio Cecco, the owner of one of Manchester’s favourite Italian restaurants Salvis, the weekend is a celebration of the city’s Italian community and always draws hungry crowds.
Entertaining crowds — in-between pizza slices — will be a line-up of local performers, live musicians and DJs, alongside activities for the little ones.
Chefs confirmed to appear at the festival so far include Gennaro Contaldo, UK brand ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano, (Saturday Kitchen, Two Greedy Italians, Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast).
As well as, Giancarlo Caldesi (Return to Tuscany, Saturday Kitchen, Sunday Brunch), Great British Bake Off 2021 winner Giuseppe Dell’Anno, Masterchef UK 2021 quarter-finalist and ICG Cooking Competition Award winner Sofia Gallo, and Salvi’s owner Maurizio Cecco.
Italian brewing company Birrificio Angelo Poretti will host a ticketed dining experience with classic Italian food from Salvi’s and Italian lager from Poretti’s iconic Piazza.
The brewery will have its own dining area at this year’s Festa Italiana where guests can enjoy a sit down meal with a curated menu made to pair perfectly with Poretti. This experience is a ticketed event on Saturday August 26th, and the area is open to all on the Sunday.
Last year’s festival saw over 40,000 people head to Cathedral Gardens as temperatures soared across the summer bank holiday weekend, and 2023 is set to be another triumphant celebration of Italian cuisine.
The family friendly festival is completely free to attend and runs from 12-11pm each day.
More information can be found on the festival website or their social media pages.