Buon Appetito – four nights of the

| Gail Sedorkin

IF delicious Italian food matched with the best regional wines of Italy is your idea of the perfect indulgence – the 2023 Cairns Italian Festival is just for you. There is not just one unforgettable evening for foodies, however, but four nights each featuring the flavours and cuisine of an Italian region.

Tonight’s Amalfi Coast Degustation at Ollie’s Italian also marks the start of the 17-day Cairns Italian Festival 2023.

Ollie’s Italian will be showcasing the best of the Amalfi Coast region’s fresh local seafood, launching the Cairns Italian Festival with a night not to forget.

The five-course degustation with wine pairing promises an unforgettable evening of indulgence, where guests can savour the flavours, aromas, and culinary traditions that have made the Amalfi Coast a world-renowned destination for seafood lovers.

The entrée of Cuttlefish tagliatelle, pea cream, burnt lemon and caviar paired with Pala Soprasole Vermentino Sardegna is just one sample from the menu.

The night will finish with Ollie’s own limoncello.

This is just the start of the evenings indulging in classic regional dishes and wines, with Pistacchi featured on Tuesday, July 25, Flynn’s Italian on July 26 and Piccolo Cucina on July 27.

To add to your enjoyment, these three evenings will be hosted by Frank Dangelico and Michael Trembath, each with more than 30 years’ experience curating wine from all over the world.

Mr Dangelico is well known as the owner of The Wine Tradition NQ, the only locallyowned wine company in the north, and with friend and wine importer Michael Trembath are looking forward to hosting the dinners.

“These dinners are a celebration of the regionality of Italian food and wine,” he said.

“We are looking forward to talking about the region’s food and, of course, about the wine.

“With family scattered all over Italy I have been lucky to have been able to travel to all those regions enjoying the food and wine.

“I feel with my heritage that I’m a custodian of Italian cuisine. I grew up with this food – it’s the same as my Nonna cooked and my mother cooked – it’s important for us to preserve that.

“Much of this food is very specific to a region, sometimes just to a village.”

On Tuesday July 25 indulge in Italian cuisine and fine wines at Pistacchi’s Central Italy degustation. Savour classic dishes and expertly paired wines.

Paolo, Francesco and the Pistacchi crew have crafted a feast to celebrate this spectacular zone, accompanied by a little bit of ‘vino regionale’ with each course.

Paolo is from Ariano Irpino in Campania, Francesco is from Trinitapoli in Puglia. They met in Riccione, on Italy’s Adriatic Coast, working in restaurants during the summer holidays, building on their skills and their friendship since 2006.

Combining their extensive knowledge of classic Italian cuisine, they now bring you a menu that will transport you to Italy with every bite. Add into the mix a perfect blend