Bread and Cheese Festival
A journey through the flavors of the Terre Sicane in Contessa Entellina
About Bread and Cheese Festival
The Bread and Cheese Festival in Contessa Entellina
The Bread and Cheese Festival is a gastronomic event held in Contessa Entellina, a small town in the Province of Palermo known for its Arbëreshë identity and its location in the heart of the Terre Sicane. The event transforms the central Piazza Matrice into a large open-air market, where artisanal bread, PDO cheeses, and local wines take center stage for a full day of taste and folk culture.
A project to promote the territory
The festival was born within the Terre Sicane Experience project, an initiative designed to promote the unique products and gastronomic traditions of this area of Western Sicily. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Contessa Entellina together with Kuntisa, the Terre Sicane Wine Route, the ATS Rete Produttori delle Terre Sicane, the Parco Rurale delle Terre Normanne, ONAF, and other local partners, creating a network that connects producers, experts, and visitors.
Flavors and featured products
The common thread is the bond between bread made with local ancient grains and the PDO cheeses of the Sicilian tradition. Throughout the day, there are guided tastings, market exhibitions, and live demonstrations that showcase techniques and recipes passed down through generations.
- Sensory tasting of PDO cheeses with the ONAF Sicily delegate
- Masterclass dedicated to Terre Sicane wines
- Bread with ancient grains, Pane di San Giuseppe, and the traditional Schiacciata di Giuliana
- The Kuntisa Market Exhibition with typical local products
- Specialties such as "cuculle" and the traditional Zabbinata
Entertainment and conviviality
Beyond the food, the festival offers music, entertainment, and shows that enliven the square from morning to evening, featuring show cooking, DJ sets, live concerts, children's entertainment, and cabaret. It is an opportunity to discover Contessa Entellina and the authenticity of the Terre Sicane in a festive atmosphere that brings together residents and visitors to Sicily.
Bread and Cheese Festival — edition 2026
The first edition of the Bread and Cheese Festival was held on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Piazza Matrice in Contessa Entellina (Province of Palermo).
The program kicked off at 10:00 AM with a sensory tasting of PDO cheeses led by ONAF Sicily delegate Pietro Pappalardo, accompanied by a masterclass on Terre Sicane wines led by sommelier and journalist Salvo Ognibene. This was followed by a demonstration of the Schiacciata di Giuliana (11:00 AM) and the opening of the Kuntisa Market Exhibition (12:00 PM).
The afternoon featured the "Il Pastaio Matto" Pasta Live show, a DJ set with sax and percussion, a demonstration of the Pane di San Giuseppe by the Women's Council, and children's entertainment by Pupilandia. The evening included a live concert by Orazio Imparato, a tasting of ancient grain bread and traditional "cuculle", a cabaret show by Tony Carbone, and, in closing, a tasting of the typical Zabbinata.
Programme Bread and Cheese Festival 2026
- 10:00 AM - Sensory tasting of PDO cheeses with the ONAF Sicily delegate and masterclass on Terre Sicane wines
- 11:00 AM - Demonstration of the traditional Schiacciata di Giuliana
- 12:00 PM - Opening of the Kuntisa Market Exhibition with tastings of bread, cheese, and typical products
- 1:00 PM - "Il Pastaio Matto" Pasta Live
- 3:00 PM - DJ set with sax and percussion
- 4:00 PM - Demonstration and tasting of Pane di San Giuseppe
- 4:30 PM - Children's entertainment with Pupilandia
- 5:00 PM - Live concert by Orazio Imparato
- 5:30 PM - Demonstration and tasting of bread with ancient grains from the Terre Sicane
- 6:00 PM - Tasting of traditional "cuculle"
- 7:00 PM - Cabaret show by Tony Carbone
- 7:30 PM - Tasting of the typical Zabbinata
Highlights Bread and Cheese Festival 2026
- First edition as part of the Terre Sicane Experience
- Guided tasting of PDO cheeses with an ONAF expert
- Masterclass on Terre Sicane wines
- Ancient grain bread, Pane di San Giuseppe, and Schiacciata di Giuliana
- Cabaret by Tony Carbone and concert by Orazio Imparato
Prices Bread and Cheese Festival 2026
Practical information — Bread and Cheese Festival
Getting there
Contessa Entellina is located in the hinterland of the Province of Palermo, in the Terre Sicane. By car, it can be reached from the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway, exiting towards Santa Margherita di Belice/Sambuca di Sicilia and continuing along the provincial roads. The most convenient train station is Contessa Entellina, on the Palermo-Agrigento line, while the reference airport is the Falcone-Borsellino in Palermo.
Admission
The event takes place in Piazza Matrice and is open to residents and visitors. Admission to the event is free; some tastings and products can be purchased at the stands.
Tips
We recommend arriving in the morning to attend the guided tastings and wearing comfortable shoes to walk around the stands in the square.
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Where does it take place — Bread and Cheese Festival
Piazza Matrice
Piazza Matrice, 90030 Contessa Entellina