Marche Breaks

Ascoli Piceno is going to be the capital of  Fritto Misto, an event dedicated to wine and foods held in the city from April 30th to May 3rd. The city which gave birth to the famous DOP (Protected Origin Denomination) Ascolana Olives is dedicating a non-stop four day event to good eating and drinking. Created by Tuber Communications, this event celebrating fried foods, has been realized in collaboration with the Perugia company Sedicieventi. Over 40,000 people attended last year's edition. The event includes various initiatives, besides the traditional stands of fried foods from every Italian Region and from the world, guided wine tasting and interesting "Frying Lessons", children can have the opportunity of participating in didactic activities, there is going to be an interesting exhibition area where visitors can discover the most original facts about fried foods and two seminars, one entirely dedicated to the Ascolana Olive and the other illustrating how oil used in frying is recycled. People attending this year's attention also have the opportunity of purchasing a "Fritto Card" so they can fully enjoy the event. This new service card, realized in collaboration with Confcommercio and Confesercenti, gives holders the possibility of receiving free gifts and discounts at the stands and in all the shops and cultural sites of the city of Ascoli Piceno. The seminar discussing the Ascolana Olive is scheduled as the opening of the Show on April 30th at 9:30 am in Piazza Arringo. Famous chefs such as Antonio Tubelli, Laura Ravaioli and the "Cuochi di Marca" and rising young chefs are going to be in Piazza Arringo every day teaching all the secrets of good fried foods and giving lessons on how to fry foods. Every day at the Palafritto, between 12 noon and 3 pm and between 6 pm and 11 pm, visitors can follow a genuine "flavor" itinerary with the tasting of various fried foods and a special section dedicated to recipes for those with celiac disease and those suffering from food allergies. Those wanting to buy quality products can do so every day from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm at the "Mercatino del Fresco e Fritti D'Autore", a market selling food products inside the "Chiostro di San Francesco". Wine and beer are the stars in Via Tornasco where "Drinking Lessons" are scheduled. Other events include a live workshop called "Cook your Olive!" with two morning sessions and two afternoon ones in which attendants can learn all of the secrets needed to prepare Ascolana Olives. Everyone will have the opportunity of preparing this delicious fried olive with the help of expert chefs and then they will be fried in two extra-large frying pans set up in the "Chiostro di San Francesco". Children from the local elementary schools will attend some cooking lessons created especially for them on the morning of April 30th. Besides the Ascolana Olive, the other great star of this event is the food everyone loves, French fries, which will be at the centre of "Siamo Fritti!!!" (We're Fried!!!), an area for youngsters and teens with animation, tasting stands and workshops dedicated to this classic food. The bars of the city of Ascoli have joined the event by initiating a special "Happy Hour Fritto". Visitors can enjoy a drink with some delightful snacks thought up uniting modern finger foods with excellent traditional fried foods.