Fermento in Val Tidone
The day of taste and local culture in Borgonovo Val Tidone
About Fermento in Val Tidone
A day dedicated to taste and territory
Fermento in Val Tidone is the food and wine event that animates Borgonovo Val Tidone, a municipality in the province of Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna, every year. Created to promote local produce, fermented foods, and culinary excellence, the event brings producers, chefs, wineries, winemakers, journalists, and food communicators to the square. The event is promoted as part of the Borgonovo Città della Gastronomia (Borgonovo City of Gastronomy) project for CheftoChef Emilia-Romagna and is included in the Welcome Val Tidone territorial marketing calendar, supported by the Emilia-Romagna Region.
The 'Mercato del buono' and quality merchants
The day opens in the morning with the Mercato del buono, a showcase of niche local producers and regional specialties, from 'Chisola coi ciccioli' (a type of focaccia with pork cracklings) to traditional Piacenza cured meats and cheeses. Along the streets of the center, quality merchants, craft stalls, and hobbyists are set up, while a wine experience dedicated to the wines and fermented products of Val Tidone, in the Colli Piacentini area, takes place all day.
The salami bread contest
The heart of the event is the contest for the best salami bread, born from an idea to enhance the pairing between bread and local cured meats. A jury of experts evaluates dozens of breads made by professional and amateur bakers, with separate categories for professional bakers and amateurs. It's a moment that combines competition, bread culture, and the celebration of local raw ingredients.
Star chefs and author's lunches
At midday, the kitchen takes center stage with lunches prepared by chefs from CheftoChef Emilia-Romagna, including the Michelin-starred chef Isa Mazzocchi from the restaurant La Palta, vice-president of the regional association. In the afternoon, the aperitif features innovative creations by various chefs and food artisans, while local wineries present their wines. The gastronomic part is accompanied by conferences and cultural debates, such as the one dedicated to the dialect as heritage and language of dialogue, hosted in the evocative Rocca di Borgonovo.
The evening concert and solidarity
The day concludes with an evening concert with free admission, the proceeds of which are donated to local solidarity projects, such as the Borgonovo cardio-protected initiative. Music, gastronomy, and social commitment thus merge into a single village festival, capable of uniting the community around the symbols and flavors of Val Tidone.
Fermento in Val Tidone — edition 2026
The eighth edition of Fermento in Val Tidone took place in Borgonovo Val Tidone, in the province of Piacenza, as the second event in the Welcome Val Tidone calendar. The morning kicked off with the Mercato del buono, curated by Laura Cignatta with niche local producers and the sale of 'Chisola coi ciccioli'.
At the Rocca di Borgonovo, a well-attended conference was held on the dialect as cultural heritage, with journalist Massimiliano Tonelli, researcher Davide Rampello, producer Angelo Capitelli, and chef Danila Ratti. The highlight was the contest for the best salami bread, with a jury chaired by Francesca Casci Ceccacci and Renato Bosco evaluating about thirty breads, awarding professionals and amateurs.
At midday, Michelin-starred chef Isa Mazzocchi from the restaurant La Palta, vice-president of CheftoChef Emilia-Romagna, presented her dishes. Mayor Monica Patelli expressed satisfaction with the community united around the symbols of the territory. The day concluded with the evening concert with free admission.
Programme Fermento in Val Tidone 2026
Day's Program
- 9:00 AM — Opening of the 'Mercato del buono' in Piazza Garibaldi, with local producers and 'Chisola coi ciccioli'
- Morning — Conference at Rocca di Borgonovo on dialect, the language of dialogue
- Contest — Competition for the best salami bread, with an expert jury
- 12:00 PM — Author's lunch with Michelin-starred chef Isa Mazzocchi (La Palta)
- Afternoon — Aperitif with innovative proposals from local chefs and wine experience on Val Tidone wines
- All day — Quality merchants on Viale Marconi and craft stalls on Via Roma
- 8:45 PM — Evening concert with free admission, proceeds for Borgonovo cardio-protected project
Highlights Fermento in Val Tidone 2026
- Best salami bread contest with expert jury
- Lunches by Michelin-starred chef Isa Mazzocchi (La Palta)
- Conference on dialect at Rocca di Borgonovo
- 'Mercato del buono' and wine experience on Val Tidone fermented products
- Charity evening concert with free admission
Prices Fermento in Val Tidone 2026
Practical information — Fermento in Val Tidone
How to get there
Borgonovo Val Tidone is located in the province of Piacenza, along the Val Tidone. By car, it is reachable from the A21 motorway (Castel San Giovanni or Piacenza Sud exit) and from the SS10 Padana Inferiore. The nearest train station is Piacenza, connected by local bus lines.
Admission and costs
Access to the event and the 'Mercato del buono' is free. Tastings, chef lunches, and the wine experience have variable costs depending on the offerings. The evening concert has free admission with proceeds donated to solidarity projects.
Tips
It is recommended to arrive in the morning to experience the 'Mercato del buono' and the bread contest, and to stay until the evening for the concert. The historic center is pedestrianized during the event.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Fermento in Val Tidone
Piazza Garibaldi
Piazza Garibaldi, 29011 Borgonovo Val Tidone