A Little Bit of Italy in Broke is Back!

Broke Fordwich will be brimming with life this April when the 14th annual A Little Bit of Italy in Broke festival once again brings the essence of Italian hospitality to this picturesque corner of the Hunter Valley on April 13+14.

Stretching across 12 venues, the highly-anticipated event brings with it a weekend full of fun, laughter and hospitality – as well as an abundance of fresh, authentic cuisine, local produce, cooking classes, workshops, demonstrations, vineyard tours and the region’s renowned local wines.

Set in stunning rural scenery and revealing the welcoming vibe of the Broke Fordwich community, the festival offers the perfect foodie escape. Showcasing the region’s diverse wine offerings along with its divine local produce, A Little Bit of Italy in Broke offers the visitor the best of local hospitality with a touch of that special Italian magic.

Relaxation and indulgence are yours for the taking, with plenty to see, do, eat and drink. Many of the venues are teaming up with local restaurants for the festival to bring gastronomical delights to visitors, with a host of options available for delicious, fresh, authentic Italian cuisine.

Among some of the incredible cuisine on offer will be gourmet Italian barbecue over mangrove wood chips, organic cheese and olives at Ascella Organic Wines, paired wine and gourmet Italian picnic share hampers from Greenway Wines and wood-fired pizza and gelato in the Tuscan-inspired courtyard at Krinklewood. Newcomers, Winmark Wines will be serving up delicious antipasto platters prepared by Italian chef Bruno Giagu (Panino Café & Restaurant Wollombi) alongside traditional Italian sweet treats, barista coffee and gelato.

Visitors will also love the dishes at Mount Broke Wines such as traditional wood-fired pizza, arancini antipasto and delicious tiramisu; while Tinonee Vineyard Estate will tempt you with classic favourites like gelato and Italian-originated macaroon. And for the sausage lover, Somerville Wines is the place to go for home-made Italian sausages by the Barbalance family. Delicious Lunches and Dinners will also be available at Catherine Vale Wines, Margan Restaurant & Winery, Whispering Brook and Nightingale Wines.

Once again there’s plenty on offer for those who love learning and creating as much as eating, with gnocchi-making classes; wine masterclasses; olive oil and preserving classes; cheese tastings; and Italian cooking demonstrations. Some workshops and demonstrations are free, while others charge a fee and require bookings.

Once again, A Little Bit of Italy in Broke has partnered with the Singleton Cancer Appeal and glass sponsor Zafferano, with a percentage from every Zafferano glass sold going to the appeal. Transfer buses will run on Saturday and will pick visitors up from a wide range of accommodation in the Cessnock, Rothbury, Lovedale or Pokolbin areas. Advanced bookings recommended. For the full program and more information, visit www.italyinbroke.com.au