Somehow, in the city of nine million people, it’s taken until the year 2022 AD for someone to deliver the lightning bolt idea of a pasta festival in London. But it’s here now, so we can all relax. And we can all be grateful.
Because, let’s be frank, no one’s going to be opposed to this. It’s a full day of food, a full day of pasta, a full day of zero complaints. Because you’re surrounded by pasta. Simple enough to understand, sure, but that won’t make it any less of a delicious thrill.
Emilia’s Crafted Pasta’s Canary Wharf branch is delivering the celebration of pasta on August 21, with an outdoor festival in the restaurant’s surrounding areas, with the riverside terrace and surrounding parks transforming into a space celebrating the beloved dishes.
On top of the plates of the good stuff, visitors can expect a good fill of live-music, pasta-themed masterclasses, and kids activities. Oh, and entry is completely free, with kitchen and bar staff on hand to provide a sumptuous “pasta picnic”.
Because this is a festival we are talking about, there will, of course, be a headliner. Who, you ask? It’s Hip Hop and Soul artist and X Factor Italy finalist Davide Shorty, and guest can expect a plethora of musicians alongside him to celebrate Italian culture.
Plus, pasta novices can not only walk home with full bellies, but with a newfound knowledge of the art of pasta cookery to boot. In the masterclasses, you can learn to make it from scratch, guiding you from making the dough to crafting it into three different shapes. Or, you could opt for the class delving into which sauces pair with all the different types of pasta.
Top top it off, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta have Boutinot Wines as a partner, who will providing insight on which wines go with which dish, and Rossella Cirillo will also be sharing tips on leftover food from home cooking to help shift towards a zero-waste lifestyle. (Masterclasses are free, but you’ll need to book your space here).
London’s first pasta festival takes place at 12 George Street, Wood Wharf, E14 9QG on August 21 between 12pm – 8pm. Read about Emilia’s Crafted Pasta here.