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Cooking Festival in Villa Santa Maria | Print |
villa-santa-maria-pastaparty_middle.jpgSince the first Festa dei Cuochi (Festival of Cooks) was held in Villa Santa Maria on October 13th 1977, the celebration of culinary arts on this special day has developed into a spectacular event. The 13th of October was chosen because it was the birthday of Saint Francesco Caracciolo, who was born in Villa Santa Maria in 1563 to a family of lords, and... after being healed from a deadly illness, dedicated his life to the eucharistic mission. He spent time in the hermitage of Camaldoli and developed the order of "Chierici Regolari Minori" (the lesser regular clergymen), dying at the young age of 44 in the village of Agnone. Known as the father of the poor and the preacher of God's love, he was deemed a saint in 1807 by pope Pio VII.

Because the tradition of the art of cooking was passed down in Villa Santa Maria by the Caracciolo family, cooks at the world-renowned school (Scuola Alberghiera) have always worshipped this saint. In 1996 they were finally successful in getting all the necessary permissions and declared Saint Francis Caracciolo as the patron saint of all Italian cooks.

Each year, on the 13th of October, a special mass is held in church, where many cooks and chefs are present in uniform. Following the mass, a procession weaves through the streets of the small village, after which everyone is welcome to celebrate in the square, participating in a pasta party hosted by De Cecco, where all types of pasta can be sampled for a small fee. There is also a cocktail making contest by Martini, as well as several big kitchens to visit, where one can watch the chefs at work. The festival usually lasts for 2 or 3 days.

MORE DETAILED INFO ABOUT THE PROGRAM OF THIS EVENT WILL BE POSTED AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE

See last year's program in Italian

How to get there:

From the A14 motorway, take the Val di Sangro exit near Fossacessia. After the toll booth, keep to the left and enter the SS652 highway westbound (away from the sea, toward the mountains). Follow signs in the direction of Castel di Sangro. After about 40 kilometers, you exit for Villa Santa Maria. Follow signs to reach the village.

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