Sam Trimboli of La Piccola is the embodiment of A Taste of Italy week. Photo: Visit Griffith.
Griffith’s A Taste of Italy festival reaches its crescendo this weekend, highlighted by live music, authentic street food, a pop-up stall selling merchandise, a free tasting event and a fundraiser centred around the traditional Italian pastry, crostoli.
The festival, held each year in August, is a week-long celebration of the Italian culture and heritage that is unique to Griffith – a community that makes up around a quarter of the town’s total population. It recognises how the first Italian migrants brought their viticulture, market gardening skills and passion for food and cooking to the area.
Activities such as wine blending workshops, cooking classes and a salami festival were quickly sold out, but there are five events this weekend in which you can still participate.
Musica dal Vivo at Limone Restaurant – 5:30 pm on Friday 25 August
Local composer Romina Tappi will lead a night of live music at Limone Restaurant, which is renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine. Ms Tappi has returned to Griffith after living in Italy, where she was artistic director of one of the country’s largest theatres, managing several productions and conducting multiple tours. A table can be booked online.
Viva Italia pop-up stall on Kooyoo Street – 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday 26 August
Italian merchandise and football sports store Viva Italia will be running an outdoor pop-up stall on Kooyoo Street on Saturday. The company will be selling flags, key rings, kitchen items, and jerseys and shirts of all the top Italian soccer teams. You will also be able to play Briscola, a Mediterranean trick-taking, Ace-Ten card game for two to six players.
Viva Italia specialises in Italian soccer merchandise. Photo: Visit Griffith.
Crostoli selling fundraiser for Griffith Commmunity Centre Carevan on Kooyoo Street – 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday 26 August
The Griffith Community Centre Carevan is a mobile food van that prepares meals for local individuals and families who are struggling or facing hardship. You can support the important work they do by buying crostolis (traditional Italian pastries which are fried and dusted with sugar) at the stall they will set up on Saturday, also on Kooyoo Street.
You can text your order in advance to 0412 373 019.
Crostoli is a popular Italian dessert. Photo: Facebook.
Street food outside Limone Restaurant – 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday 26 August
If merchandise and crostolis isn’t your thing, you can head back to Limone on Saturday, which will also be on the sidewalk to present Cibo di Strada, an Italian phrase that means street food.
Coffee, pizza, porchetta and lots more Italian goodies will be on offer. No bookings are required.
Tasting at La Piccola Grosseria – 8 am to 1 pm on Sunday 27 August
As one of the few authentic Italian delicatessens in rural NSW, La Piccola has long been an institution in Griffith. Owner Salvatore Trimboli is well known for his generosity and his store will be celebrating its 20th birthday by offering free tastings of a gourmet assortment of Italian meats and cheeses. Every customer who walks in will also receive a complimentary espresso. You’ll find the shop at 444 Banna Avenue.
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