If the cold weather has got you pining for a summer holiday, then we might just be able to provide a taste of one a little earlier than usual. It’s a slice of Italy, and it comes in the shape of SicilyFEST: a four-day celebration of all things Sicilian taking place on April 20-23, 2023.
Getting you ready for summer in the London springtime, this wholesome festival will take place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, transforming the venue into a European escape by way of Mediterranean street market – and you can nab yourselves some tickets here.
If you’re a big foodie, you’ll feel right at home here. As you stroll through the centre, you can expect to be munching on some of the finest Italian treats, which include – *deep breath* – cannoli, arancini, fritto misto, fresh pasta, pistachio delicacies, Sicilian chocolate, and many more! Plenty of vegan, veggie and gluten-free dishes are on the menuat the festival; and there will also be loads of fine wine, beers, liqueurs and gin to wash down your Sicilian samples! Sounds idyllic to us…
Plus, once you’ve suitably stuffed your faces, there’s plenty to learn. Experts – including Michelin-starred Accursio Craparo and Sicilian chefs Loredana Crisafi, Vittorio Meli, and Enzo Oliveri – are on hand at SicilyFest to take you through masterclasses in traditional Sicilian recipes presented with a modern touch.
Visitors can also sample tastes from the finest Sicilian wineries at a unique experience. The event will take place during the course of the four-days of the festival, and allow you to sift through wines from Pietradolce, Marchesi di Rampingallo, Baglio Oro and Tenute Lombardo – with the wine paired alongside an appetiser curated by the chefs at SicilyFEST.
Whether you’re nibbling away at some arancini or rating each wine out of 10, you can do so while shaking your hips to the eclectic lineup of music spinning throughout the event. Live performances from Lello Analfino (Tinturia); Sud Sound System; Vincenzo Spampinato; Davide Shorty; and Jerry Prestigiacomoare, the event’s resident DJ, are certain to put the cherry on top of a fine food-festival weekend.
SicilyFEST are collaborating with local organisations and aiming to give back to the community. Guests will find a children’s corner at the festival run by UK charity Children Do Matter, where they can learn about the group’s mission and donate.
Who needs a holiday when you can visit a strip of Sicily right here in London? Book your tickets here for a weekend that’s guaranteed to be *chef’s kiss*!
SicilyFEST London 2023 Edition
Also published on Medium.