The Line Up For Manchester’s Wonderful Italian Food And Drink Festival Has Been Revealed
Laura Rogan - Editor of Secret Manchester
Festa Italiana is back!
After what feels like an age away – because it has actually been two whole years already – Festa Italiana has announced its grand return for summer 2021, with an epic line-up in-store for Italian food lovers. Be still, my carb-loving heart!
Confirmed to take over Cathedral Gardens over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the free-to-attend festival will celebrate all things Italy over the weekend, with some of the very best local restaurants and chefs participating in the occasion.
Bringing back the slice of the Med that has gone down incredibly well over previous years, attendees will be able to soak up the sun (which will hopefully be in attendance) on the grass, while pottering around food trucks and canapes filled with Italian treats and live music. We’re talking seriously good grub from Salvi’s pop-up deli, proper pints from Peroni and an Aperol Spritz bar for those really feeling the sunshine vibes.
Chefs currently confirmed for this year’s festival include Salvi’s very own Maurizio Cecco (and his daughter, who’ll be hosting child-friendly cooking classes!), Aldo Zilli, Giancarlo Caldesi, and Gennaro Contaldo – all of which will be taking part in two huge, special banquets during the festival. The banquets will operate as ticketed events alongside the free festival, allowing guests to experience three courses of exquisite cuisine in a whole new way.
Elsewhere at the festival, sponsors Peroni will be hosting a number of outdoor cinema screenings, too, with the likes of La Dolce Vita, Romeo and Juliet and Cinema Paradiso in store for the movie buffs to enjoy. The cinema area will be decked out with comfy bean bags to sink into, with fresh pints, of course, on offer.
Who else is gonna be there?
- The Pasta Factory
- Cafe Cannoli
- Peroni
- I Knead Pizza
- NQ Sicilian
- Paradiso Authentic Italian desserts
- Proove Pizza
- Lucky Mama’s
- Salvi’s
- T’arricrii
- Tre Ciccio
- Birrificio Angelo Poretti
The festival, which is inspired by Manchester’s rich Italian heritage, will return between 27th and 29th August this year, with thousands expected to attend to celebrate the wonder that is Italian culture. Stay tuned right here for further updates on the line-up.