Valle del Gusto

A culinary journey in the heart of the Monti Lattari

Valle del Gusto is the food and wine festival that brings summer to life in Pimonte, a charming town in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, set within the Monti Lattari between the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. The stage is the Valle Lavatoio, located on Via Lattaro: one of the most evocative corners of the area, where for several evenings in July, wooden huts, twinkling lights, and traditional cooking stations are set up along a walking trail immersed in nature.

The concept is simple yet effective: no stages, no massive crowds, just a gastronomic walk that winds through the huts, telling the story of Pimonte and the Monti Lattari's agricultural heritage, one course at a time. The formula was launched in 2025, and by its second edition, it had already captured an audience far beyond the town's borders.

Traditional local products at the heart of the event

The true stars of the festival are the PAT (Traditional Agri-food Products), reinterpreted in recipes that showcase local ingredients. Highlights of the Valle del Gusto menu include:

• Capicollo di Pimonte, a historic local cured meat;
• Cacioricotta dei Monti Lattari, a typical fresh cheese of the area;
• Cannellino tomato, grown on the mountain slopes;
• Pimonte cherry, the star of the desserts;
• Pane biscotto and traditional peasant-style freselle;
• Pasta from local artisan pasta makers.

Each edition offers a four-course tasting menu designed to showcase as many local products as possible in a single stroll, with gluten-free and lactose-free options available for those with specific dietary needs.

How the evening works

The valley gates open at 8:00 PM. Guests walk along the trail, pick up their menu, and begin their journey between the huts, where volunteers serve the courses one by one. Entry to the area is free; you only pay for the tasting at a deliberately affordable price. The lights among the trees and the cool valley air make the evening particularly pleasant, even on the hottest July nights.

Who is behind it

The event is organized by the Associazione O.D.V. "Solo per Amore" in collaboration with the "Franche" Neighborhood Committee, with funding from the Metropolitan City of Naples, and is part of the Pimonte Municipality's official event calendar. It is a grassroots event with a strong participatory character: the local residents themselves cook, serve, and accompany visitors along the path.

Valle Lavatoio, a place to discover

Valle Lavatoio is more than just a backdrop for a food festival. It is a lush green valley, recognized as a "place of the heart," crossed by ancient paths and historic washhouses that bear witness to the rural life of Pimonte. The same setting hosts the town's famous living nativity scene during the Christmas season, another key identity-defining event for the community.

For those visiting the coast or the Sorrento Peninsula, Valle del Gusto is a rare opportunity to step away from the crowded tourist circuits and discover the inland Campania of the Monti Lattari: a land of pastures, cured meats, cheeses, and vegetable gardens, just a few kilometres from the sea but with a completely different soul.

Tips for visitors

• Book in advance: places are limited and evenings often sell out;
• Wear comfortable shoes, as the route is a walking trail;
• Arrive early to enjoy the sunset over the valley;
• Bring a light jacket: temperatures drop in the evening at this altitude.