Porcini Mushroom and Chianina Beef Festival

A festival dedicated to two Tuscan culinary icons

The Porcini Mushroom and Chianina Beef Festival is one of the most anticipated autumn food events in the municipality of Castelfranco di Sotto, located in the heart of the Lower Valdarno in the province of Pisa. The event showcases two symbols of regional cuisine: porcini mushrooms, a staple of Tuscan tables during the colder months, and Chianina beef, one of Italy's most prestigious cattle breeds, raised for centuries in the Arno Valley.

The event was created with a clear mission: to safeguard Tuscany's culinary heritage in an area with a strong industrial focus, by promoting collaboration with local farms that still practice zero-mile Chianina breeding. It is a village festival in the truest sense, brought to life by the volunteers of the Casa del Popolo Velio Baldasserini of the Circolo ARCI.

What to eat

The menu is the heart of the festival, revolving around the two ingredients that give the event its name. Highlights include:

• First courses: bronze-die cut 100% Italian wheat penne, fresh tortelli, and egg tagliatelle, served with Chianina ragù or porcini mushroom sauce;
• Main courses: grilled steak, Chianina roast beef with porcini and Grana cheese, Chianina burgers, and pork spare ribs (rosticciana);
• Sides and specialties: fried and grilled porcini mushrooms, and beans with local extra virgin olive oil.

Everything is served in a convivial atmosphere under a large heated marquee, ensuring comfort even on the crispest Tuscan autumn evenings.

A month-long celebration

Unlike many festivals that last only a few days, the Porcini Mushroom and Chianina Beef Festival spans multiple consecutive weekends, from early October through the first days of November. This allows visitors to choose the evening or Sunday lunch that suits them best, making the event a landmark for residents of Castelfranco di Sotto and the surrounding towns of the Pisan Valdarno.

Castelfranco di Sotto and its surroundings

Castelfranco di Sotto is a medieval village overlooking the Arno plain in Tuscany, part of the leather district alongside Santa Croce sull'Arno and Fucecchio. Beyond its industrial roots, the town maintains a rich calendar of popular festivals and food events that mark the year. This festival is a moment for the community to gather around good food, rediscovering the authentic flavors of local peasant traditions.