For one evening the heart of Calatabiano will be transformed into a large open-air restaurant: on Monday August 24th, from 7.30 pm, the medieval village will be the stage for the first edition of “Festà in Borgo“, a widespread food and wine festival intended to mark a historic moment for the town.
An ambitious project, conceived by Luca Miuccio and his wife Federica D’Arrò with the patronage of the Municipality, born with a precise objective: to bring to Calatabiano an event never held before, capable of enhancing its cultural heritage, gastronomic excellence and the extraordinary beauty of its historic centre. In fact, August 24th will be the zero edition of a format designed to become a fixed appointment in the Sicilian summer.
To accompany Miuccio in this purpose, some of the most appreciated protagonists of Sicilian cuisine will cook side by side along the streets of the village. A unique occasion that will bring together Massimo Mantarro, Luca Miuccio, Antonino Puglisi, Giuseppe Bonaccorso, Mirko Pappalardo and Pasquale Caliri, six signatures of regional gastronomy who will put their talent at the service of a project created exclusively to celebrate Calatabiano.
An even stronger symbolic value is represented by the presence of three chefs originally from Calatabiano – Massimo Mantarro, Luca Miuccio and Antonino Puglisi – who chose to return to their country to contribute to the birth of an event destined to become a point of reference for the area.
Accompanying their creations will be the desserts of the Messina pastry chefs Lillo Freni and Alessio Messina Paranta, the leavened products of the master Francesco Arena, together with a selection of companies producing cured meats, cheeses, extra virgin olive oil, bread, meats and other local excellences. The experience will be completed by the wines of the participating wineries, by the AIS service, by an exclusive cocktail created by the bartender Marco Patanè, as well as soft drinks and water.
The entry event will be completely free, a choice strongly desired by the organizers to allow everyone to experience this great celebration of taste. A contribution will only be requested for the official tasting glass, distributed by the Il Faro – Famiglie oltre la disabilità (Families Beyond Disability) Association, to which the proceeds will be entirely donated. Founded in 2020, the association now supports more than 70 families with children and young people with disabilities of different nature, offering concrete support, promoting inclusion and building a community network capable of supporting families on their journey. The choice to donate the proceeds from the glasses to the association also gives the event an important social value.
“Festà in Borgo is not just a gastronomic festival – explains Luca Miuccio – It is a project to valorise the territory that brings together chefs, producers, artisans with the common objective of describing Calatabiano through its excellence and giving life to an event destined to grow over the years. An event that aims to make the village known to an increasingly wider audience and to transform it, at least for one night, into one of the Sicilian capitals of taste“.
The gastronomic journey will develop through the suggestive streets of the historic centre. Every corner of the village will offer a different experience, including tastings, characteristic views and live music: violinists, pianists and other musicians will accompany the public with widespread performances, transforming the entire town into a stage under the stars.
