Author: @lisastravelguides

Truffles are in the Air! The 85th Alba International White Truffle Fair

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Piemonte Region of Italy; Photo credit: Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea) / Foter / CC BY-SA
Piemonte Region of Italy; Photo credit: Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea) / Foter / CC BY-SA

Truffles and wine are gems of the Piemonte region of Italy. From the end of September thru mid-November events are held in Alba to honor the White version of these prized tubers. This festival is in its 85th year and is jam-packed with events. If you’re looking for an experience combining food, wine and folklore, you will not be disappointed.

White Truffle Risotto - Risotto al Tartufo Bianco Photo credit: Giorgio Montersino / Foter / CC BY-SA
White Truffle Risotto – Risotto al Tartufo Bianco Photo credit: Giorgio Montersino / Foter / CC BY-SA

Alba is in the area of the Piemonte known as the Langhe; displays at the festival boast not only the excellent truffles and wine but the cheeses, egg pastas and sweets common to this area. During the festival there is a truffle market at Cortile della Maddalena each weekend where you can smell and buy truffles from reputable vendors. The truffles are hunted by dogs who smell and scratch just under the surface to alert their handlers to their find. Truffles are not cheap and are used in a variety of ways in the kitchen.

Paglio degli Asini 2015; Photo credit: Giorgio Montersino / Foter / CC BY-SA
Palio degli Asini 2015; Photo credit: Giorgio Montersino / Foter / CC BY-SA

The Alba International Truffle Fair is as entertaining as it is tasty. Food and folklore events are scheduled each weekend to fill your belly and your spirit. The folklore events started September 26th with The Investiture of Podesta; participants in medieval costumes re-enacting tributes to the Lady of Alba and the Podesta (magistrate who governs the city). On October 4th the medieval theme continued with a donkey palio, the “Palio degli Asini”, run by the 9 districts of Alba in a traditional mock of Asti’s horse palio. This weekend each district will transport you back to medieval times with games and re-enactments staged throughout.

Borgo San Lorenzo - Alba; Photo credit: Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea) / Foter / CC BY-SA
Borgo San Lorenzo – Alba; Photo credit: Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea) / Foter / CC BY-SA

The highlight of the weekend is the “Baccanale del Tartufo”; each district uses the truffle theme to develop a delicious menu unique to them. Review the menu and pick which of the 9 districts whets your tastebuds and partake in a truffle themed dinner (the menu is posted below). To learn about the other events and tastings offered this weekend and though mid-November at the festival click on the link below and select “Calendar”. Mangia bene!

Event Website: Fiera del Tartufo 2015

Menu Il Baccanale del Tartufo: http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/cgibin/2015/1444555045B_depliant-borgo-si-rievoca_2015_081015.pdf

White Truffle - Tartufo Bianco; Photo credit: Blue moon in her eyes / Foter / CC BY
White Truffle – Tartufo Bianco; Photo credit: Blue moon in her eyes / Foter / CC BY

Festival of Chefs in Abruzzo

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Typical Abruzzo Lamb Dish Photo Credit: Photo credit: Danny Nicholson / Foter / CC BY-ND
Typical Abruzzo Lamb Dish Photo credit: Danny Nicholson / Foter / CC BY-ND

The 37th edition of the Rassegna dei Cuochi (Festival of Chefs) returns to Villa Santa Maria in the Chieti Province of Abruzzo this weekend. Known as “La Citta dei Cuochi” (City of Chefs), this town has produced chefs turning out delicious dishes around the world for heads of state and mere foodies alike. This is no surprise since its home to the highly touted cooking school Istituto Alberghiero Villa Santa Maria.
On the second weekend of October each year, chefs return to this village to meet, perform cooking demonstrations and of course, enjoy the food. The event is paired with religious celebrations this evening in honor of Saint Francis Caracciolo, patron and protector of all cooks in Italy. The weekend program lists several cooking demonstrations in the afternoon and evening with booths setup for food tasting and local products.
Two of the highlights of this festival are the Saturday night feast and the competition for chefs. On Saturday night at 8:00 PM there is a large dinner served on what seems like a mile of tables in the Old Town. On Sunday, fifteen chefs are invited to participate in a competition juried by foodies from around the world. Winning this competition gives the victor a prestigious entry on their resume and a substantial cash prize.

Town Link & Festival Program: Villa Santa Maria

Map: Villa Santa Maria, Chieti, Abruzzo

Cooking School: Istituto Alberghiero Villa Santa Maria

Bardolino’s Festival dell’uva e del vino

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Bardolino
Bardolino waterfront on Lake Garda. Photo credit: Photo credit: NorthernLassUK / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

Bardolino is a municipality northwest of Verona in the Veneto region and located on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Starting yesterday, the town is hosting a 5 day festival dedicated to grapes and wine. The festival is in its 86th year, is well organized and easy to find. Stands serving food are open from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM each week day and 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. With stands serving various pastas, meats and cakes there is something for everyone’s tastes. Musical acts performing each afternoon and evening range from folk music to country. There are guided tours and historical parades on the weekend and a fireworks display at 11:00 PM on Sunday October 4th. While in town for the festival check out the old city walls dating to the 12th century, the medieval crypt in the Church of San Severo and the Museo Sisan which is dedicated to bird hunting and fishing of the Lake Garda region.

Bardolino Festival: Bardolino Grape & Wine Festival Link

Festa dell’uva e del vino Guide: programma 86 Festa dell uva e del vino 2015 per web(1)

52nd Annual Marradi Chestnut Festival – October 4 11 18 & 25 2015

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Chestnuts are celebrated in Marradi, Italy on four consecutive Sundays every October.  This year marks the 52nd celebration of “Sagre delle Castagne” which showcases traditional products that use the chestnut in their recipes.  Chestnut cakes, jams and roasted chestnuts are just a few of the items that can be sampled at the event.  There will be foodstalls starting late morning and continuing into the afternoon.  Each afternoon showcases live music and children’s entertainment.  This festival is so popular there is a special train from Pistoia and Florence on Sunday October 11th, 2015; it makes additional stops before arriving in Marradi to enjoy the day’s festivities and returns late afternoon/early evening.

Click here to see the official festival poster: Marradi Chestnut Festival 2015 Poster

Additional information: Pro-Loco Marradi

Like it on Facebook: Pro-Loco Marradi

Link for special train tickets to the event on October 11th: Treno a Vapore: Sagre Delle Castagne

Map to Marradi, Tuscany, Italy: Marradi, Tuscany, Italy