Mangiare con Gusto

The showcase for local producers

Mangiare con Gusto is the food and wine event that turns the historic center of Terracina into a grand open-air gourmet lounge. Born from an idea by journalist Adele Di Benedetto and organized by ALMADELA as part of a communication project dedicated to regional Italian cuisine and extra virgin olive oil, the festival debuted in Latina, where the first eight editions were held at the historic Palazzo M, before moving in 2019 to Piazza Municipio, in the ancient heart of the city.

The event's motto, «From producer to consumer, compose your own menu», summarizes its philosophy: connecting the public directly with small-scale local producers and farms, promoting short supply chains and conscious consumption. The twelfth edition, held in June 2025, brought together 26 producers and farms from Lazio, with guests from other central and southern regions.

Piazza Municipio, a unique stage

The setting is truly unforgettable: Piazza Municipio stands on the ancient Foro Emiliano, with its Roman paving still visible, at the foot of the Cathedral of San Cesareo and just steps away from the Roman Theatre, which has been brought to light in the upper historic center. The Municipality of Terracina, in the province of Latina, supports this event that combines the promotion of agri-food excellence with the rediscovery of the Lazio region's archaeological heritage.

Farm-to-table tastings

From 6:00 PM until late in the evening, the stands set up in the square offer farm-to-table tastings and freshly prepared recipes:

• pasta and baked goods
• local cured meats and meats
• cheeses and dairy products crafted on-site
• extra virgin olive oil
• Lazio wines and craft beers
• honey, saffron, vegetables, and traditional desserts

A membership contribution grants access to free tastings and participation in workshops and masterclasses, while individual samples at the stands are affordably priced.

Masterclasses, workshops, and cheesemaking

The educational heart of the festival lies in its evening masterclasses: guided sessions on recognizing the quality of extra virgin olive oil, curated with Capol (Centro Assaggiatori Produzioni Olivicole di Latina) and the National Association of Oil Cities, as well as sensory wine workshops with sommeliers and ONAV tasters. Live cheesemaking demonstrations, featuring mozzarella stretching and caciocavallo production, are also major attractions, along with workshops for children such as «Montessori in the Kitchen», dedicated to kids aged 4 to 10.

Culture, talks, and the Roman Theatre

Each edition opens with a talk on food, culture, and the territory—covering themes from the Via Appia to oil tourism—featuring institutional representatives and industry journalists. Thanks to the collaboration with the Fondazione Città di Terracina, visitors can participate in guided tours of the Roman Theatre, which in 2025 also hosted a yoga session for the International Day of Yoga.

A seasonal appointment

Mangiare con Gusto does not have a fixed spot on the calendar: over the years, it has taken place in September, July, and June, always following the two-evening weekend format. To find out the dates for the next edition, it is recommended to follow the official website and the event's social media channels.