Community & Business
4 August, 2022
Town heats up for Salami and Sausage Festa
AN age-old European tradition of making salami and sausage will be celebrated this Sunday when the TGT Salami and Sausage Festa kicks off at the Mareeba International Club.
The event, which is part of the new 10-day Cairns Italian Festival, will feature locally made salami and sausages, to be judged by a panel of five experts including special guest judge, comedian Joe Avati.
There will be several awards with the expert judging panel rating each entry out of 20 in the areas of taste, aroma, density and colour.
Festival president Steve Cordenos said many families still carry on the ancient tradition of making salami and sausages during the winter months which often follow a “secret” family recipe.
“There is an undeniable art to making salami and sausages,” Mr Cordenos said.
“This method of curing meat is one the oldest, pre-dating ancient Rome.
It’s original Latin name, Salumen, literally meant ‘combined salted meats’.
“I have no doubt some of Australia’s best artisan salami and sausage makers will be contesting to take out the prestigious awards on offer.”
There will be a homemade Italian lunch to savour provided with Italian music as entertainment.
The club will undergo a total Italian makeover to showcase the Festa which starts at 10.30am and finishes at 5pm.
All cash prizes and trophies to the individual and overall winners have been donated by Queensland’s oldest Italian-style smallgoods manufacturer, Borgo Salumi, which will also provide the antipasto for the event.
Tickets cost $57.95 for adults and are available by going to www.cairnsitalianfestival.com.au.
Ticket buyers are in the running for three prizes – the first prize worth $1500 is a Cleaver Salami fridge cabinet, second prize, valued at $450, is a professional salami crimper machine from Casalingo Imports, and five people will each win 100 Cryocav salami bags.
