FOLIGNO, Where First Courses Take First Prizes
Hard to imagine we are coming up to the fourteenth edition of the wondrous food festival celebrating Italian first courses, I Primi d’Italia. I wrote this when there ten years ago and re-reading this piece makes me eager to head there once again, this coming September: “Tradizione e Innovazione” (“Tradition and Innovation”) was the theme for the tenth anniversary celebration of one of Italy’s most renowned food festivals, the 4-day I Primi d’Italia, which animates Foligno at the end of September. I Primi d’Italia (“First Courses of Italy”) is Umbria’s celebration of the most-beloved Italian first courses: pasta (and this year, gluten-free varieties, too!), risotto, gnocchi, polenta and soups. Though the primi are the core of the festivities – both the tastings of them and cooking lessons with world-renowned chefs who transform the first courses with innovative creative touches – wine-tastings, classical and jazz music, theater, films, art exhibits, cooking competitions, cookbook displays, and even fashion shows embellish the festival and draw the crowds.
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