Margie Maccoll
Noosa’s inaugural Italian Food & Vino Festival was such an overwhelming success that dates for festivals for the next two years have already been booked.
The tour de force behind the festival, Noosa Waterfront Restaurant executive chef Andrea Ravezzani said the festival opening and closing parties were sold out as was the Ferrari Long Lunch, while the main event, the Festival Day in Noosa Woods Parkland had reached capacity by 2pm and they had to shut the gate.
“The feedback we’ve had was very positive,“ Andrea said.
“A lot of people were interested to see what we were doing. A lot of people enjoyed it.“
Andrea said the aim was give people a taste of Italian culture in terms of food and drink as well as entertainment and games for the kids.
“It’s all about family in Italy. We had to find out how to put in games the kids can enjoy, then the parents can enjoy the drinking situation,“ he said.
The band was outstanding and the Pavorotti impersonator was fantastic, he said.
In addition, guests were able to play the ancient Roman game of bocce, led by Queensland Bocce Federation president Dino Marrone, try their luck at a game of checkers or listen to demonstrations in Nonna’s Kitchen by a variety of Italian chefs.
The opening party was held last Friday at Noosa Waterfront Restaurant and the closing party on Sunday at Lucio’s Marina.
At the main event on Saturday, people at the long lunch dined on a four-course meal delivered by four Italian celebrity chefs, while people at the festival village enjoyed tastes of Italy such as pizzas, pastas and antipasto platters from a mix of local restaurants including 250 Grammi, Trattoria Benati, Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar and Ohana Dining.
There were sweets from La Cannoleria and Little Ray of Sunshine Gelato and plenty of drinks from Italian and local suppliers including Heads of Noosa and Seabourne Distillery.
“Being the first year you don’t know how everything will go,“ Andrea said.
“You plan for the best. We think we did our best. Everybody was happy.“
Andrea said all of the festival’s restaurants and sponsors including Ferrari Trento, Inalca Food & Beverage Australia and Absolute Providores were back on board for next year and they aim to have even more food and restaurants.
Next year’s Italian Food & Vino Festival will be held the first week of September with the 2024 festival beginning 31 August.
