Maestri di Gusto Fair

The Easter Monday festival that brings Pamparato to life

When Easter Monday arrives, the small town of Pamparato, perched at over 800 meters in the upper Casotto Valley in the Province of Cuneo (Piedmont), fills with color, scents, and voices. "Maestri di Gusto" is one of the most beloved events in the Monregalese area: established in 1987, it has grown edition after edition to become a staple of the Piedmontese spring calendar, attracting thousands of visitors in a single day.

Authentic flavors of the Monregalese valleys

The heart of the fair is the local produce market, which takes over the streets of the historic center from the morning. Among the stalls, you will find the region's gastronomic excellence:

• the famous furmentin polenta (buckwheat) and yellow polenta, symbols of mountain cuisine;
• alpine cheeses from local mountain dairies;
• fragrant honey from the valleys;
• the essential paste di meliga, cornmeal biscuits that represent the confectionery tradition of the Casotto Valley.

Numerous food stands and restaurants also offer menus dedicated to traditional local cuisine.

Crafts, music, and culture

Alongside the food, the fair celebrates the popular traditions of the valleys: throughout the streets, there are demonstrations of ancient crafts, creative workshops for both adults and children, and folk entertainment. In the afternoon, the notes of Occitan music resonate, with performances that highlight the cultural identity of these mountains straddling Piedmont and the Provençal world.

Castello Cordero and guided tours

The monumental heart of the day is the Castello Cordero in Pamparato, which opens its doors to visitors in collaboration with the "Castelli Aperti" association. Inside, you will find art exhibitions and musical performances, while the itinerary is enriched by visits to the Church of San Biagio and the Chapel of San Bernardo. For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of walking and e-bike excursions along the paths and woods surrounding the village.

A tradition that unites the Monregalese area

"Maestri di Gusto" is much more than just a food festival: it is the identity-defining celebration of an entire mountain community, organized by the Pro Loco of Pamparato together with the Municipality. In a single day, it tells the story of the deep bond between food, landscape, and culture that characterizes the upper Casotto Valley, offering residents and tourists an authentic immersion into the traditions of the Piedmontese mountains.