The “Messina Street Food Fest” confirms its identity vocation and deep bond with the city, recording a real boom in attendance in this seventh edition too. The bad weather, which granted a respite during the opening hours, allowed the gastronomic event organized by Eventamente, led by Alberto Palella, to renew a consolidated success, becoming one of the most loved traditions of the Messina autumn. Piazza Cairoli has been transformed into a large open-air bistro, packed especially on the three evenings from Friday to Sunday, amidst scents, music and a festive atmosphere.
The “Messina Street Food Fest” remains a unique and increasingly popular event, capable of attracting thousands of visitors and maintaining record numbers. The 51 houses set up in the heart of the city were literally taken by storm from the day of the inauguration, with a constant influx until yesterday, when the public rewarded both the more traditional dishes and the creative proposals. The title of most popular specialty is won by Piana degli Albanesi’s cannoli (which had already won in 2023 and which wins by only 30 pieces over the Sfogliatelle), while for the savory one it is Basilicò’s fried pizza. In second place Paninaru with cacio acavallo, Hammuca also on the podium with the Smash hamburger. Special prize for Hostrica, with the cuttlefish ink sandwich and for third place.
Good food and fun for all ages: from the refined tastes of the older ones to the joy in the eyes of children in front of churros, crepes and homemade ice creams. To make the atmosphere even more lively, the traveling shows of Valerio Sardella’s “Compagnia Joculares”, with acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers and dancers who enchanted the public with a varied and engaging repertoire.
Great success also for the cooking shows hosted by Valeria Zingale. An initiative which, as always, combined the valorisation of the products of the Strait with solidarity: the funds raised will be donated to Airc, Cirs Casa Famiglia, Canteen di Sant’Antonio and ABC – Amici dei Bimbi in Corsia. The media partnership with the SES – Gazzetta del Sud group and Rtp TV has been confirmed, which has followed the event since the opening with participation in the first cooking show by Paolo Locurto, winner of MessinTavola, and the daily live broadcast hosted by Salvatore De Maria, in which the Palermo comedian Sasà Salvaggio, the new face of the network and expected soon with his own program, also took part.
Excellent feedback for the concerts of the live bands that performed on the stage in Piazza Cairoli and for the DJ sets by Luciano Fiorino, Piero Mazzù, Fabrizio Duca and Santino Villari. The musical coordination was entrusted to Alfredo Reni who also took care of the soundtrack of the mornings of the “Messina Street Food Fest”.