Five reasons why you’ll really want to go to Little Italy
In the mood for some Italian vibes during the Dutch winter? Then go to Little Italy! During this festival on the second weekend of February, you can completely immerse yourself in Italian life with special tastings, wine and cooking workshops, showcooking, and perhaps the best part: the pop-up restaurant and extensive food market.
Goodies from the boot
At the food market, you’ll find all kinds of authentic products brought straight from the boot. Browse the various stalls and treat yourself to, among other things, dolci, focaccia and all kinds of olive oil.
Roberto’s pop-up restaurant
Taste the authentic flavour of Italy at Roberto’s pop-up restaurant, where the most delicious antipasti, pasta and desserts from Italian cuisine are prepared right before your eyes by chefs who rank among Italy’s best. The menu includes the most delicious Mozzarella di bufala del Cilento; a delicacy in its own right, but in winter served with homemade tomato jam. The Carpaccio Cipriani is the original recipe from 1950, from Harry’s Bar in Venice; hand-sliced beef entrecôte with the sauce enriched with a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Or how about pasta prepared à la minute? Such as the classic Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe, seemingly simple but rich in flavour, made with nothing more than pasta, water, Crosta Nera Pecorino cheese and black pepper. The chefs don’t mind being watched and are happy to explain what they’re making. In short, you get a free cooking lesson thrown in!
Taste award-winning beers (for the first time!)
The Italian craft brewery Birrificio del Ducato from Parma has won the most awards of all Italian beer brands. At Little Italy, the beer brand will be officially launched, and these delicious beers can be tasted for the first time.
Learn to make ravioli or pasta alla chitarra
Last year, the pasta workshops by Cucina Originale were so popular that the cooks from Bologna are returning this year. With a completely new menu, of course. Enjoying a glass of wine and delicious snacks, you’ll learn to make your own ravioli or pasta alla chitarra (‘guitar pasta’). Afterwards, you can take your pasta home with you. (Tip: be quick, because the number of places is limited.)
Pick up the tricks of the trade
In the cooking theatre, seven renowned Italian chefs demonstrate their culinary skills throughout the day. Every hour, a chef who is affiliated with the Federazione Italiana Cuochi (F.I.C.), the association of Italian chefs, takes to the stage. Watch and learn their tricks of the trade and take the recipes home with you.
The fifth edition of Little Italy will take place on 7, 8 and 9 February at Amsterdam’s Westergas site. An admission ticket costs €15 at the door. If you order your ticket online in advance, you’ll pay €12.50. You can order tickets here.
