Festa Italiana
Howard Smith Wharves is bringing back its Italian food market for a third year, again over two big weekends — and in collaboration with guest chef Orazio D'Elia.
Overview
When an event's first and second runs have proven a hit, so much so that it's coming back for another year, you can't quite say that the third time will be the charm. Still, Festa Italiana has big things in store for 2025. Howard Smith Wharves' annual taste of la dolce vita is returning for two four-day weekends with a feast of Italian dishes, pop-up bars, a special dessert from Gelato Messina and plenty more. Naples-born and -raised, Sydney-based chef Orazio D'Elia of Bondi Beach's Da Orazio is again making the trip to Brisbane, too, leading the festivities.
When Festa Italiana launched in 2023, the aim was to give its waterfront CBD home its first-ever Italian food market, and to celebrate cuisine and beverages from the country in focus. That's on the agenda again in 2025. This year's dates: Thursday, May 29–Sunday, June 1 and Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 8. Joining in alongside D'Elia: fellow chefs Carmine Guarino (another Naples-born culinary figure) and Dean Anning (Ciao Papi's Executive Chef).
Again, D'Elia will be serving up a range of dishes that he's known for. His vodka rigatoni (made with tomato, chilli, cream and vodka) is back on Festa Italiana's menu. This year, attendees can tuck into his strozzapreti ai gamberi, aka twisted pasta with prawns, zucchini and cherry tomatoes as well. Thanks to a grill station on HSW's main lawn, there'll also be porchetta-stuffed focaccia and chicken rolls, all to enjoy by the river.
Guarino's contribution: traditional Italian street food, specifically Roman-style pizzas served by the slice. You'll be able to pair them with natural Italian wines, all while Italo disco tunes play. For more sips, the festival is hosting a spritz bar (think: Lambrusco spritzes and frozen white peach Aperol slushies, for something beyond your usual drinks) and Felons Brewing Co is whipping up a Festa Italiania-exclusive Italian lager.
At Ciao Papi, Anning's menu includes stracciatella with grilled leeks, hazelnut and truffle — plus rigatoni alla amatriciana with sugo, garlic, chilli and pancetta. Here, beverages will also be a highlight, with eatery's garden becoming an Aperol garden with orange hues to match and a dedicated Aperol spritz bar.
Then there's the Italian salumeria, your go-to for artisanal charcuterie, fresh mozzarella — complete with demonstrations showing how it is made — plus other deli-style fare, fried calamari and the like.
Timed to wrap up autumn and say hello to winter over its two weekends, as it has been in previous years, Festa Italiana is also soundtracking its bites and sips with live tunes, and ramping up the entertainment with roaming performers. Entry is free, with everything that you're keen to eat and drink purchased as you go.
Information
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