5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Open ceremony with TV host and author Federico Quaranta.
ITALIAN OYSTER FESTIVAL
3RD EDITION
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ITALIAN OYSTER FESTIVAL
3RD EDITION
Friday, May 16th, 2025
OYSTER ARENA
OYSTER ARENA
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
“A brand for the Italian Oyster and its growth potential”
Round table discussion moderated by TV host and author Federico Quaranta.
Speakers:
Enrico Lupi, President of the Chamber of Commerce Riviere di Liguria
Giacomo Vigna, Head of Division XIII. Agri-food Industry, cultural and creative industries, tourism industry. Directorate-general for industrial policy, industrial conversion and crisis, innovation, SMEs and Made in Italy, and Department for Business Policies.
Francesco Rum, Head of meat and fish, Conad Nord Ovest
Daniela Borriello, Head of Coldiretti Impresa Pesca
Gilberto Ferrari, Head of Fishing and Aquaculture, Confcooperative FedAgriPesca
Cristian Maretti, President of Legacoop Agroalimentare
Federico Pinza, President A.M.A (Mediterranean Aquaculture Association)OYSTER ARENA
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Oyster talk by GAL FISH Liguria “From shell to plate: the oyster as a culinary “pearl”
Discussion on oyster sustainability, perception as a luxury good, and various preparation methods.
Speakers:
Renata Briano, Food Blogger
Alessandro Dentone, President of the Unione Regionale Cuochi Liguri
Angelo Majoli, Honorary President of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori SpezziniFinal tasting to follow
OYSTER ARENA
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Show Cooking
“Puer oyster with Camugin Gin Tonic. Carnaroli risotto with asparagus and smoked oyster”
Cured by the Unione Regionale Cuochi Liguri, with the participation of Chef and President Alessandro Dentone
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIVIERE DI LIGURIA
10:00 AM – 12.00 PM
Scientific seminar at the Chamber of Commerce Riviere di Liguria (Piazza Europa, n°16, La Spezia) G. MARMORI room
“Oyster and mussel farming in the face of climate changes: challenges, adaptation and new development opportunities”
Organized by GAL FISH Liguria in collaboration with Azienda Speciale Riviere di Liguria.
With representatives from MASAF and DG Mare of European Commision.
Introducing:
Alessandro Piana – Vice President and Councilor for Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Professional Fishing, Liguria Region
Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra – Undersecretary of State for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and ForestsSpeakers:
Chiara Lombardi, Researcher ENEA
Stefano Carboni, Head of Research Area, International Marine Centre – IMC Foundation
Giuseppe Prioli, President SIRAM (Italian Society for Applied Research on Mollusks)
Sasa Raicevich and Tommaso Petochi, ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research)
Roberto Nepomuceno, Director of PEMAC III Office – Resource Conservation and National Regulation, Directorate-general for Maritime Fisheries and Aqauculture, MASAF
Giulia Carraro, DG Mare European CommissionClosing remarks: Enrico Lupi, President of GAL FISH Liguria
Following the seminar: oyster break offered by Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Spezzini and Tuttifrutti – Itinerario del gusto e dei profumi from the Province of La Spezia.
COSTANTINO MORIN PROMENADE
11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Opening of the oyster farmers’ stands and the tasting booth of the Consorzio per la tutela dei vini DOP e IGP Colli di Luni, Cinque Terre, Colline di Levanto e Liguria di Levante, offering DOCG wine pairings.
COSTANTINO MORIN PROMENADE
11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Social Lounge curated by journalist and agri-food communiactor Renata Cantamessa also known as “Fata Zucchina”.
OYSTER ARENA
11.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Show Cooking
“Champagne risotto, creamed with oysters and burrata sauce, with oyster crudites scented with lime”
Presented by: Ristorante La Baia – Guizzi di Mare – Le Grazie
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
12.30 PM – 2:15 PM
“European Planning in support of oyster farming, mussel farming and seaweed cultivation”
Presentation of European Projects:
Life – Life Muscle;
Bio Based, Interreg Italy – Croazia project;
Marinet-Mariculture, Interreg Italy – Croazia project;Presented by: Paolo Varrella, President of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati della Spezia; Federico Pinza, President of A.M.A and Eraldo Rambaldi, Director of A.M.A.
With contributions from both public (universities) and private partners
Moderator: Emanuela Cavallo, Journalist
OYSTER ARENA
2.15 PM – 3.00 PM
Show Cooking
“Land and sea crudites in noir: oysters and Bra sausage with fine black truffle from Monferrato”
Presented by: Lady Chef Caterina Quaglia
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
4.00 PM – 6.00 PM
“CLLD in action: dialogue and innovation for fisheries and aquaculture”
Presentation of the CLLD model and strategic goals of the sector, curated by Mirvana Feletti.
Best practices Presentations:
Augusto Comes, Vice President GAL FISH Liguria – Ecoefishent
Benedetto Sechi, President GAL FLAG Nord Sardegna – GALSs as local development agencies
Daniela Borriello, Board Member GAL FISH Liguria – National Head of Coldiretti Pesca – CORE Increasing COmpetitiveness and REsilience of Small-Scale Fisheries
Lara Servetti, Board Member GAL FISH Liguria – Private Cooperation Agreement for collecting and recycling discarded or unused nets and marine waste
Serena Danese, Azienda Speciale Riviere di Liguria – OPEN CIRCULARPreview screening of the documentary: “Oysters of Sardinia: between Past, Present and Innovation” by Sardegna Ricerche.
Stefano Carboni, IMC International Marine Centre – “The IMC Foundation’s aquaculture research in support of companies”
At the end of the presentation, a thematic panel discussion will take place, where oyster farmers will exchange views on challenges, solutions, future prospects, and market growth opportunities, starting from the projects already launched or under development.
Moderators: Michele Angius and Barbara Esposto
OYSTER ARENA
6.00 PM – 7.00 PM
“A meeting of excellence: Oysters and Sciacchetrà”
Tasting curated by the Cinque Terre National Park – while seats last
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
Speakers:
Enrico Lupi, President of Chamber of Commerce Riviere di Liguria
Lorenzo Viviani, President of the Cinque Terre National Park
Federico Pinza, President AMA and Director of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Spezzini
Paolo Varrella, President of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati della Spezia
Linda Nano, Journalist and AuthorWith the participation of AIS Sommelier Yvonne Riccobaldi
OYSTER ARENA
7.00 PM – 8.00 PM
“Oyster farmers share their stories”
Presentation of Oyster Producers
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
8.00 PM – 9:00 PM
“Oysters and beer: a perfect match”
Tasting curated by Eugenio Borio, President of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Spezzini, Teo Musso and Elio Parola (Birrificio Baladin) – while seats last
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
Sunday, May 18th, 2025
COSTANTINO MORIN PROMENADE
11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Opening of the oyster farmers’ stands and the tasting booth of the Consorzio per la tutela dei vini DOP e IGP Colli di Luni, Cinque Terre, Colline di Levanto e Liguria di Levante, offering DOCG wine pairings.
OYSTER ARENA
11.00 AM – 12.00 PM
“Poor but beautiful”
Food Education workshop curated by the Cinque Terre National Park – whilw seats last
Speakers:
Lorenzo Viviani, President of the Cinque Terre National ParkWith participation from restaurants of the CETS circuit (European Charter for Sustainable Tourism)
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
12.00 PM – 1.00 PM
“The reintroduction of the European Flat Oyster in Italy: Growth Prospects”
Presentation of a reasearch project on the reintroduction of the European flat oyster in Italy.
Speakers:
Paolo Varrella, President of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Associati della Spezia
Federico Pinza, President A.M.A. and Director of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Spezzini
Chiara Lombardi, Senior Researcher at ENEAModerator: Elisabetta Toracca – Journalist
OYSTER ARENA
1.00 PM – 2.00 PM
“Oyster Masters: Techniques and Secrets for the Perfect Shuck”
Oyster opening workshop by Paolo Varella, President of Cooperativa Mitilicoltori Spezzini.
OYSTER ARENA
2.00 PM – 3.00 PM
Show Cooking
“Oysters with Ligurian Flavors”
Presented by Unione Regionale Cuochi Liguri, with participation of Chef Giuseppe Zizzi
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Show Cooking
“Rice and oysters, dandelion and salt-preserved lemons”
Ristorante Andree – La Spezia
Presented by Chef Andrea Besana
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
4.00 PM – 5.00 PM
Show Cooking
“Cold Spaghetti with Buffalo Mozzarella, Oyster, and ‘Nduja”
Ristorante Essentiae – Tellaro
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
5.00 PM – 6.00 PM
Show Cooking
“The Pearl and the Oyster”
Ristorante Pizza Contemporaneo- La Spezia
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
6.00 PM – 7.00 PM
Show Cooking
“Linguine with Anchovies, Cherry Tomatoes, Black Olives, and Toasted Pine Nuts”
Presented by La Perla di Lerici
Moderator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
OYSTER ARENA
7.00 PM – 8.00 PM
Show cooking
“Tagliolino Gulf of Poets with Oysters Scented with Marjoram”
Presented by Istituto Alberghiero G. Casini
With the participation of students from the G. Casini Hospitality Institute
Prof. Alessandro Bettarelli
Prof. Roberto LaurianaModerator: Fabio Bongiorni, Food Teller
Program still being updated.
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