BacalàFest and GiroBacalà

A widespread festival dedicated to salt cod and stockfish

BacalàFest is the festival that, in the Municipality of Fano and throughout the province of Pesaro and Urbino, celebrates salt cod and stockfish: two preparations of cod that have marked the cuisine of the Marche region for centuries, capable of uniting the Adriatic coast and the Apennine hinterland. What was once considered "the steak of the poor" is today a sought-after gourmet product, the protagonist of an entire gastronomic season.

GiroBacalà, a journey from restaurant to restaurant

The soul of the event is GiroBacalà: a culinary itinerary involving about thirty restaurants and trattorias in the area, some of which are even outside the province. Each participating establishment offers its own recipes based on salt cod or stockfish at a special price, allowing visitors to build their own gastronomic tour, from stop to stop, throughout the festival. It's a way to discover different cuisines and original reinterpretations of a popular ingredient.

The gastronomic challenges

The most anticipated moments are the "Stoccafisso & Baccalà" gastronomic challenges, real culinary competitions where contestants compete with original dishes judged by expert juries and the public. The challenge is divided into two events: a challenge between professional chefs, with chefs from Marche, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Puglia, and a challenge between amateur chefs, which brings together enthusiasts and local Pro Loco associations. Past editions have awarded establishments and chefs who have managed to combine tradition and creativity.

Who organizes the festival

BacalàFest is promoted by the gastronomic culture association Viandanti dei Sapori together with Confcommercio Marche Nord, with the patronage of the Regional Council of Marche, the Province of Pesaro and Urbino, and the Municipality of Fano. Numerous sector entities collaborate with the event, including O.L.E.A., the Confraternita del Brodetto, the Compagnia del Baccalà, the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, and A.I.S. Pesaro.

A maritime tradition of the Marche region

More than a food festival, BacalàFest is a story of the maritime and table culture of the Marche region. In Fano, a city with a long maritime tradition, salt cod and stockfish are intertwined with the nearby world of brodetto (fish stew) and seafood cuisine, making this festival an unmissable stop for those who want to discover the gastronomic identity of the Province of Pesaro and Urbino.