From 16 to 18 October, three days dedicated to seafaring tradition, the rediscovery of overlooked fish and the promotion of the local fishing supply chain, with culinary challenges, cooking shows and activities for the public.
Cefalù is getting ready to welcome the first edition of Tarabà – The Sea and Sustainable Cuisine Festival, taking place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. The initiative, promoted by the municipal administration in collaboration with the agency Feedback and with the support of the Sicilian Regional Department of Agriculture and Forestry – Fisheries Department of the Sicilian Region, offers a weekend dedicated to maritime culture and the culinary traditions of the area.
At the heart of the event is the promotion of so-called “overlooked fish” (pesce negletto), the lesser-known fish species rarely used in cooking despite their nutritional qualities and strong ties to local fishing. It is an opportunity to rediscover the resources of the Mediterranean and to promote a more mindful approach to cooking, one that combines sustainability, creativity and local identity.
As the mayor of Cefalù, Daniele Tumminello, pointed out: “Tarabà was created to tell the story of the sea through its products and local traditions, involving restaurateurs, fishing industry operators and visitors in an experience that combines gastronomy, research and respect for marine resources”.
RistoChallenge “Il mare ritrovato”: five restaurants compete
One of the festival’s main events will be the RistoChallenge “Il mare ritrovato” (The Rediscovered Sea), the culinary competition that initially involved 13 restaurants in Cefalù. Customers were able to taste special menus dedicated to overlooked fish and the local catch, voicing their preferences online.
Five finalists will compete for the win: Al Solito Posto, Galleria, Il Carretto, Le Chat Noir and Tinchitè Taverna. The restaurants will face off over the weekend on the Cefalù seafront, presenting their creations to a technical jury.
The jury will be chaired by Davide Ventimiglia, sous chef to Alessandro Borghese and a Food Network face, alongside Gianni Marino, a cook known to the public for taking part in the fourteenth season of MasterChef Italia, and Vincenzo Russo, professor of Consumer Psychology and Neuromarketing at IULM University in Milan.
The winner will be announced on Sunday 18 October, at the end of the competition.
Cooking shows and tastings on the seafront
The Tarabà program will also offer moments of insight and entertainment dedicated to cooking and local culinary excellence. In the experience area set up on the seafront, local chefs will star in cooking shows designed to guide the public through ingredients, techniques and contemporary interpretations of Cefalù’s culinary tradition, with dedicated tastings.
On Saturday 17 October, at 5:30 PM, the project “Mercato della voce dal mare alla tavola” will be presented, promoted by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”. Taking part in the meeting will be general director Francesca Di Gaudio, Dr. Daniela Lo Monaco and the municipal Fisheries councillor Salva Mancinelli.
The culinary journey will continue on Sunday at lunchtime with chef Ignazio Morgante of Zayt Restaurant, who will interpret Cefalù’s culinary culture through the creation of an iconic dish that expresses the flavors and atmosphere of the area.
EduFood Inclusion: nutrition, sport and inclusion
Tarabà will also make room for food education and participation through the EduFood Inclusion activities, promoted by ASP Trapani to raise public awareness of the importance of the Mediterranean diet, the sustainability of food choices and the value of social inclusion.
Saturday 17 October’s program will open at 10:30 AM with EduSport Inclusion, a trekking experience on the Rocca di Cefalù that combines movement, nature and sharing, promoting inclusion through sport.
Tickets for the activity cost 5 euros for the full price and 2.50 euros for the reduced price.
At 1:00 PM, EduFood Inclusion will follow, a meeting dedicated to healthy lifestyles and the nutritional properties of the local catch. It will be a chance to explore the value of fish in the Mediterranean diet and learn how to choose, cook and eat seafood in a healthy and responsible way, paying attention to the protection of marine resources.
A weekend discovering the sea of Cefalù
With its first edition, Tarabà aims to strengthen the bond between Cefalù and its seafaring tradition, promoting a culinary culture attentive to the quality of the catch, sustainability and the promotion of local products.
From the contest among restaurateurs to cooking demonstrations, along with informative talks and outdoor activities, the festival will offer residents and visitors a chance to get to know the area’s culinary heritage more closely and to rediscover the sea as a cultural, environmental and economic resource.
See you in Cefalù from 16 to 18 October, for three days of flavor, tradition and sustainability.
