Spending a day surrounded by bowls of pasta and sunshine sounds like a dream to many, though the reality is that we can’t just up and jump on a flight to the coast of Italy. There might be a way to circumnavigate this by staying in London and still getting to enjoy both at the city’s first and only pasta festival.
Emilia’s Summer Pasta Festival is heading back to Canary Wharf on June 8, and we’ll be hoping the weather pulls through for that optimum sun-soaked combo with added carbs. It’s been running for the last few years, courtesy of Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Canary Wharf, which rolls out the pasta red carpet and slings the tasty bowls out to a couple of thousand hungry Londoners each time. And the best part is… entry to the festival is completely free!
Emilia’s Summer Pasta Festival
Now, of course, it’s not just about nabbing a bowl of pasta and being on your way. There’s an entire day of it happening this summer, with pasta-making classes, live music, kids’ activities and much more scattered throughout the festival. There will be classes you can sign up to beforehand, so before eating your chosen dish, you can learn just how to expertly create one!
Classes include a Sardinian ‘Spizzulus’ pasta shape-making class that will let you whip up your own pasta shapes to take home with you and show off to your family and friends. You’ll also have the chance to learn about which wines go with which pasta dishes, or you can take part in the class to make a Tagliatelle and farfalle egg pasta or an Orecchiette tricolore. Or, you can sit back and let your child do the work as the festival also runs a pasta-making class for kids.
Live music will be soundtracking your pasta heaven experience, with Italian and more international acts playing with a lineup of vintage, pop, and DJ sets throughout the day – plus a special 90s and 2000s Italian dance party by Italia S’è Festa to end a carb-fuelled city day out in style.
Emilia’s Summer Pasta Festival is taking place on June 8 in Canary Wharf at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, 12 George Street, E14 9QG (nearest station is Canary Wharf. The event will run between 12pm – 7pm, and you can reserve a spot for free to enter.