Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce – On the Road
The historic center of Grottaglie transforms into an open-air restaurant featuring chefs, white-washed alleys, and Apulian tradition.
About Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce
An open-air restaurant among white-washed alleys
Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce – On the Road is the food and wine festival that every summer turns the historic center of Grottaglie, in the province of Taranto, into a massive open-air restaurant. The stars of the show are the 'nchiosce, the narrow, white-washed alleys that define the Ceramics Quarter. For two nights, they come alive with food stalls, lights, and music, inviting visitors to wander from alley to alley, sampling a variety of dishes.
The Orecchietta: A symbol of Puglia
At the heart of the festival is the orecchietta, perhaps the most iconic pasta shape in the Apulian tradition. Local chefs each offer their own personal take, ranging from traditional family recipes to gourmet reinterpretations, with a strong focus on local ingredients, seasonality, and sustainability. The event also embraces inclusivity with gluten-free options, paired with selections from local wineries and craft breweries.
Guardians of tradition
Alongside the chefs, the event celebrates the women who safeguard Apulian culinary knowledge. Among the most anticipated guests are Nunzia Caputo, the pasta maker from Bari Vecchia known as the "Queen of Orecchiette," and Zia Lella (Aurelia Arces), a living memory of Grottaglie's cuisine; both demonstrate the secrets of handmade pasta to the public.
Music, street art, and ceramics
The culinary trail is accompanied by live music, street performers, and roving shows that energize the evenings. The festival also highlights the artisan soul of Grottaglie, a city of ceramics: dedicated workshops allow visitors to learn how to make orecchiette by hand, take their first steps in the pizzica dance, or shape clay on a potter's wheel, fostering a dialogue between ancient wisdom and new generations.
The chef competition
The two evenings conclude with a friendly competition: the most popular dishes are awarded based on public votes—cast via QR Code—and the judgment of a technical jury. Winners receive fine ceramic pieces, a symbol of local craftsmanship and a tribute to Grottaglie's identity.
In the heart of Ionian Puglia
Organized by the association Le Idee non Mancano APS, the event has become a staple of the Apulian summer and a perfect opportunity to discover the town of Grottaglie and its ceramic heritage. Blending taste, music, and craftsmanship, Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce tells an authentic story of Puglia—one of narrow alleys, hands covered in flour, and village conviviality.
Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce — edition 2026
Twelfth edition
The 2026 edition of Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce – On the Road takes place on August 4 and 5, 2026 in the historic center of Grottaglie (TA), in the evening (roughly from 7:00 PM to midnight). Twelve Apulian chefs will animate as many stations distributed among the 'nchiosce, offering thirteen original dishes based on orecchiette, with gluten-free options available.
Announced dishes include: mussel amatriciana, peach tartare with raw scampi, goat cheese mousse with licorice powder, Bari-style focaccia, and orecchiette alla San Giuannidde with fried breadcrumbs. Pairings are curated by local wineries and craft breweries.
Chefs, guests, and competition
The presence of Nunzia Caputo, the "Queen of Orecchiette," and Zia Lella (Aurelia Arces), guardian of Grottaglie's tradition, is confirmed for live demonstrations of handmade pasta. The evenings will be accompanied by live music, street performers, and roving shows. A competition will reward the most popular dishes with two awards—popular jury (voted via QR Code) and technical jury—with fine ceramics, the symbol of Grottaglie's craftsmanship, as prizes.
Programme Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce 2026
- Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – Opening of chef stations in the historic center's 'nchiosce, tastings, live music, street performers, and workshops (from evening).
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026 – Second evening of tastings and shows; closing with the announcement of the competition winners (popular and technical jury) and prize-giving ceremony with fine ceramics.
The interactive map of the stations and the detailed program will be published on the official website in the days leading up to the event.
Highlights Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce 2026
- 12 local chefs and 13 original interpretations of orecchiette
- Gluten-free options and pairings with local wineries and craft breweries
- Nunzia Caputo ("Queen of Orecchiette") and Zia Lella for demonstrations
- Live music, street performers, and roving shows
- Competition with ceramic prizes and public voting via QR Code
Prices Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce 2026
Practical information — Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce
Location
Historic center of Grottaglie (TA), in the Ceramics Quarter, among the characteristic 'nchiosce. Grottaglie is located in Puglia, in the province of Taranto.
Getting there
By car: Grottaglie is accessible via the SS7 highway and from nearby Taranto (approx. 20 km). By train: Grottaglie station on the Taranto–Brindisi line. Nearest airport: Brindisi-Casale, approx. 40 km away.
Hours and tickets
The event takes place in the evening, roughly from 7:00 PM until midnight. Tastings are managed via tickets/tokens, which can also be purchased digitally via QR Code. For the full program, map of stalls, and updated information, visit the official website orecchiettenellenchiosce.com and the festival's Facebook page.
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Where does it take place — Orecchiette nelle 'nchiosce
Centro storico – Quartiere delle Ceramiche