The Galbani Taste of Little Italy is back, celebrating its 18th anniversary Italian style.
The festival, known for its Italian ambiance, national Italian American Entertainers and authentic food offer free admission to thank the community for all the years of support.
This year’s theme is “It’s All About Love,” and the event promises a Valentine’s weekend filled with entertainment, food and family fun, running from Feb. 14 to 16.
“We are committed to celebrating our Italian cultures, values, and traditions, built on the foundation of family. We are grateful for all who came out and celebrated and shared in the love of our heritage,” says festival co-founder Jerry Somma.
National and local chefs will demonstrate how to cook specialty Italian dishes. This year, The La Cucina Galbani Cooking stage will host YouTube favorite Anthony Acampa from “Fats Where the Flavor Is.” Local chefs include Joanna LaMarra of Pastaio, Francesca Di Fede of La Forchetta and Kyle Greene of Amor.
The La Cucina Galbani Cooking stage will feature top chefs. VIA PRODUCTIONS / COURTESY PHOTO
New this year, you can enjoy the festival by reserving a romantic table for two for Valentine’s Day. A bistro table and two chairs in front of the stage will include cocktail service and a complimentary bottle of Jon Bon Jovi’s Hampton Water wine.
Feast on fresh pasta, pizza, sausage and peppers. Then, enjoy not-to-be-missed Italian desserts like homemade zeppoles with powdered sugar, sfogliatella, and cannoli.
Don’t miss the Pastaio Meatball Eating Contest and a Galbani Celebrity Cheese Stacking contest.
Musical highlights include a Valentine’s Day performance by Franco Corso. The “Voice of Romance” will treat the audience to classic Italian ballads, including some by Andrea Bocelli. Also taking the stage, crooner Tony Quaranti will perform “The Sinatra Songbook.” The Saturday night headliner is “Slippery When Wet,” a Bon Jovi Tribute performing decades of hits at 8:00 p.m.
Virginia Sinicki, an on-air personality from The KVJ show on 979WRMF, is this year’s Taste of Little Italy’s Mistress of Ceremonies.
This year’s Taste of Italy theme is “It’s All About Love.” VIA PRODUCTIONS / COURTESY PHOTOS
The Taste is committed yearly to supporting the charity Little Smiles of Florida. The nonprofit organization tirelessly works to bring smiles to children’s faces by giving them the chance to be kids during difficult times.
The Taste of Little Italy was started 18 years ago with a vision to create an experience rich in Italian culture. With family tradition and values at its core, the Taste continues to serve as a signature event, bringing together generations to celebrate the contributions of great Italians. Through food, music, art, and history, the three-day festival remains dedicated to remembering ancestors’ hardships in migrating and takes pride in its Italian American heritage.
The 18th Annual Galbani Taste of Little Italy will be held Feb. 14-16 at Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie. For more, visit tasteoflittleitaly.net. ¦
National and local chefs will demonstrate how to cook specialty Italian dishes.
Voga wine experts will be at the festival, providing tastings and a history of Italian wine.