It’s time to wear those stretchy pants and bring your appetite to Thomastown on Sunday, March 29, for the sixth annual Ricotta Festival held by award-winning cheesemakers That’s Amore. They're inviting you to the only festival in Australia devoted entirely to ricotta at their HQ for one glorious day of cheesy celebrations.
At the heart of it all? Ricotta Calda. Think hot, creamy, freshly made ricotta served on arrival, just like in Sicily. The LaManna Cooking Demo Stage will host a stellar line-up of Melbourne culinary talent, including Ferdinando Napoli (Trattoria Emilia), Melanie Lionello (@frommylittlekitchen), Pia Gava (ex-MasterChef Australia contestant) and Jason Shiong from LaManna. Expect insider tips, generous tastings and plenty of cheese.
Entertainment will keep the festa vibes high all day long. Live sets from Siesta Cartel and Solo Antico will soundtrack the celebrations, while the Melbourne School of Tarantella brings traditional dance to the floor.
That’s Amore Cheese will be dishing up hot ricotta, spaghetti cacio e pepe tossed in a Grana cheese wheel. You’ll also find Abruzzese arrosticini from Abruzzo Lab, pizza and calamari from Saluti Pizzeria, melted caciocavallo over charcoal from Pacelli Deli, seafood panini from Pescato Ocean Eats and arancini and lasagne bites from The Arancini Mann.
As for dessert, try freshly filled cannoli from Cannoleria, scoops from Boca Gelato, Sicilian-style sfinci, yummy tiramisu from The Travelling Tiramisu and desserts from Pistachio Papi. Wash it all down with some Spritzes, wines and beer or barista-made coffee. And if you're still hungry, why not take part in the Cannoli Eating Competition presented by Bialetti. Yum!
The bustling marketplace will showcase everything from artisan biscuits and antipasti to honey, olives, handmade fashion and specialty cheese, giving you every excuse to stock up. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo and face painting.
General admission tickets are $20. Get more info here.
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