Piedmontese Cuisine Festival (Borgo San Michele Feast)

A neighborhood festival celebrating Piedmontese culinary heritage

The Piedmontese Cuisine Festival is the highlight of the Borgo San Michele Feast, the most anticipated event in this district of Volpiano, a town in the northeastern outskirts of Turin, Piedmont. For nearly half a century, at the end of September, the festival has blended devotion to the district's patron saint with the conviviality of a grand village dinner served under the covered pavilion on Via Pinetti. It is a truly grassroots festival, brought to life each year by the hard work of about eighty volunteers from the Borgo San Michele Association, who handle everything from cooking and table service to evening entertainment.

Traditional dishes

The menu is a small encyclopedia of Piedmontese peasant cuisine, prepared according to local recipes. The recurring stars of the menu each evening include:

• Agnolotti, hand-made and a staple of the Turin table;
• Piedmontese mixed fry (fritto misto), rich and abundant;
• Mixed boiled meats (bolliti misti) served with traditional sauces;
• Beans and pork rinds, polenta with sausage and stew, and stewed tripe;
• Appetizers, pizza, and a takeaway service for those who prefer to enjoy the food at home.

Patronal feast and dance evenings

The festival is more than just gastronomy: the program weaves together religious observance and festive fun. The opening on Thursday features the investiture of the Priors at the San Michele chapel, accompanied by the Volpiano Philharmonic. Friday and Saturday evenings continue with orchestras and ballroom dancing under the marquee, while Sunday is dedicated to the more solemn aspects: a parade through the town streets with the band, Mass celebrated inside the festival pavilion, and an aperitif offered by the committee. The event concludes on Monday with the recitation of the Rosary in the district chapel.

A free event for everyone

All evenings offer free admission and take place indoors, ensuring the event goes ahead even in case of bad weather. The Piedmontese Cuisine Festival in Volpiano is the perfect opportunity to experience the authentic spirit of a Canavese-Turin district feast, where rural roots, regional cuisine, and the local community come together around the same table.