The XXXI edition of A tavola sulla spiaggia in Forte dei Marmi
The gourmet show at the Capannina proclaiming the Piatto Forte 2023 starts on 2 July with the presentation of the dishes and ends with the award ceremony on 9 July
For the fifth time, the A tavola sulla spiaggia event will take place at one of the symbols of Forte dei Marmi, along with the Fortino and the pier, La Capannina di Franceschi, thanks to the traditional collaboration of Carla and Gherardo Guidi.
"As we greet the start of summer 2024, I am pleased to confirm the Capannina's hospitality at the A Table on the Beach event. Indeed, the secret of success lies in having a clear vision of the goal and the constancy to pursue it. Merits that I have been acknowledging for more than 30 years to this challenge conceived and realized by my friend Gianni Mercatali, who originally conceived it with Ugo Tognazzi," says Gherardo Guidi, patron of the world's longest-running restaurant. "When it was proposed to me to host this event, a real novelty at the time, I decided to believe in it despite the fact that the cooking theme was not as popular as it is now with TV shows and multiple guides. So once again this year the Capannina is delighted to welcome participants and jury, for a challenge that will even involve 'repeaters,' that is, past winners, with that atmosphere that matches the very nature of vacationing in Versilia: the original taste of the sea."
Gianni MercataliThe double date is set for Sunday, June 23 at 6 p.m. for the presentation of dishes at the Capannina and Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m. for the awards ceremony, also at the Capannina.
To learn more about the history of the event, you can also purchase the book HERE.
Cover libro A tavola sulla spiaggiaThe event, presented by Annamaria Tossani is a mouth-watering show that will proclaim the 2024 "Piatto Forte" dedicated to Forte dei Marmi. The golden colander created by Petruzzi & Branca of Brescia will be the symbol of victory. The Press Jury's Absolute First Prize, on the other hand, will be dedicated to Capannina and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Mara Maionchi e Flavia MercataliThere will be twelve contestants, divided into the four categories of appetizers, starters, main courses and desserts although, on the beach, these categories traditionally disappear. Paired with as many wines. This year they have confirmed from Friuli Eugenio Collavini, from Emilia Monte delle Vigne, from Tuscany Cantine Lunae, Cecchi, Val delle Rose, donne Fittipaldi, Castello Banfi, from Umbria Arnaldo Caprai and from abroad champagne Perrier Jouet.
What's new this year
The Organizing Committee this year has decided to invite some winners from previous editions. Past winners will again include Rosaria Panatta who won the overall first prize in 1999, jewelry creator Lucia Giovannetti who won in 2000, Marchesa Rosaria Frescobaldi who won in 2007, and painter Elisabetta Rogai with her husband Marco who won in 2002.
Riccardo Monco, chef at Enoteca PinchiorriThe Jury
The jury will include journalists, opinion leaders, wine producers, restaurateurs and chefs. It is expected to count more than 12 Michelin stars from Versilia but not only, where the now faithful Gianfranco Vissani and Riccardo Monco first chef of Enoteca Pinchiorri will not be missing.
Gianfranco VissaniThe theme
Gastronomically, the theme of recovery, of recycling cuisine, of the sublime art of preparing good and healthy dishes without throwing anything away, is back. So much so that again this year the organizers have invited all partners to donate their products to the Banco Alimentare della Toscana, a structure that the event organizers have been supporting for years. There will be no lack of a variation on the theme of recovery because the most anticipated guest will still be the summer panettone, of course out of competition, produced by Fiore 1827, based on a recipe by Michelin-starred chef Igles Corelli, who, with expertise and passion wanted, precisely, to "put his hands in the dough." After 12 years, when in 2012 Davide Paolini proposed and presented on the "noble sands" of the Forte the consumption of artisanal summer panettone, the success of this original idea continues.
I partner
Among the event's partners are two prestigious confirmations: Fiore 1827 and the Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Consortium. But also two important new entries: Cru Caviar, the largest Italian producers of Beluga caviar, and Tenuta Maryamado, with its own extra virgin olive oil obtained from the more than 5,000 olive trees on the estate of the same name in Tuscany.
