4th Annual Soffritto Challenge, Ariano Irpinio (Av), March 5th and 6th

A scene from last year's event

Slow Food Irpinia Colline dell’Ufita and Taurasi and Slow Food Foggia and Monti Dauni will host the 4th Annual Disfida del Soffritto…the Soffritto Challenge and the 5th Annual Sapore del Maile, Festa e Rite.

A weekend geared around traditions, rites and rituals of the beautiful community of Ariano Irpino – in Valle Ufita…a land based around farmland and farmers whose, in the past, main source of livelihood was pork. A chance to step back in time, celebrate ancient traditions, enjoy local products, food and wine. I attended this event last year and had a blast!

The highlight of the weekend will be on Sunday, March 6th when 17 communities will battle to see who makes the best soffritto, a pork based dish. Opportunities are also available to tour the area as well.

Here is the schedule:

Saturday, March 5

1730 hrs Ceramic Museum “Centro Storico of Ariano Irpino”

“Pork culture and the farmer’s diet”,

Introduction: Raffaele Coppola, Assessore all’Agricoltura della Provincia di Avellino, Antonio Mainiero, Mayor of Ariano Irpino

Panelists: Salvatore Salvatore, journalist and farming tradition scholar of the Valle dell’Ufita,Guido Pensato, journalist and wine and food historian, Franco Arminio,Federico Ceschin, marketing and territorial development expert,Michele Poligneri, Slow Food Puglia, Nicola Sorbo, Terra Madre Slow Food Campania, Donato Matassino, President Consdabi

Closing Remarks
Slow Food Italia

moderator Monica De Benedetto

2100 hrs
 Dinner “ The Flavors of the maiale nero casertano” at Trattoria Di Pietro
Melito Irpino. Reservations are necessary Tel. 0825.472010 – 333.9656781
€ 25 for Slow Food members - € 30 for non members.

Sunday March 6

0900 hrs
Registration for participants in the challenge

1000 hrs
LA PRIMA MANGIATA
A country breakfast offered by the contestants of the challenge.

1130 hrs
Presentation of the contestants for the “a lu callar” challenge.

1300 hrs
4° DISFIDA DEL SOFFRITTO DI MAIALE…The tasting and judging begins!!
Winners based on popular vote as well as by a jury of experts.

Throughout the day you can visit stands full of food, wine and local products from the region. Immerse yourself into the folkloric dancing, singing, music, storytelling and classic neapolitan card games - briscola, tre sette and scopa.



1100-1600 hrsFor those interested, guided tours to the ceramic museum, città dell’olio and the town center as well as the cathedral, and Norman Civilization Museum are available. You can reserve by calling 347.8948172.



Participating Communities are

 Ariano Irpino

 Ascoli Satriano

 Paternopoli

 Candela

 Grottaminarda

 Orsara di Puglia

 Flumeri

 Faeto

 Taurasi

 Pietra Montecorvino

 Teora

 Roseto Val Fortore

 Montecalvo Irpino

 Celenza Val Fortore

 Carife

 Guest contestants:

Condotta Slow Food Pistoia

Condotta Slow Food Tammaro Fortore


For more information on shuttle services from AVellino or where to sleep while in the area,  visit the web site http://www.condottatufiatarausi.it/  or info@condottaufitataurasi.it


See you there!!!