The tenth edition of the Bufala Fest, tutte le forme del gusto has drawn to a successful close in Naples. Thousands of visitors experienced an extensive programme featuring regional specialities, cookery events, presentations and expert discussions. The focus was on products from the Italian buffalo sector as well as the connection between tradition, innovation and sustainable food production. The anniversary edition received additional political backing from Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida. In a message to organisational director Antonio Rea, the minister praised the Bufala Fest as an important platform for high-quality Italian agricultural and food products.
In Lollobrigida's view, the event plays a significant role in promoting and advancing the Italian buffalo sector as a whole. The guiding theme of this year's edition, Visione, addresses key challenges facing the sector. These include the preservation of regional traditions, the development of innovative products, sustainable production and competitiveness in international markets.
Measures against fraud and false declarations of origin
Lollobrigida also referred to measures taken by the Italian government to protect the domestic food industry. These include strengthened controls and sanctions against food fraud and false declarations of product origin. According to the minister, sanctions of up to three per cent of a company's annual turnover are envisaged. The guaranteed quality and traceable origin of Italian food products are considered essential prerequisites for the continued development of the sector as a whole.
The protection of regional products is also intended to strengthen consumer confidence and support Italian producers in international competition.
Bringing tradition and innovation together
Organisational director Antonio Rea expressed great satisfaction with the progress of the tenth edition. The anniversary is the result of years of work, considerable passion and long-term collaborative planning by the entire organising team.
In Rea's view, the support of the Minister of Agriculture confirms the growing significance of the Bufala Fest. The event has developed into an important platform for businesses, agricultural producers, chefs and public institutions. The guiding theme Visione has also demonstrated how traditional production methods can be combined with innovation. The collaboration between the buffalo sector and the fishing industry was also successfully expanded at this year's edition.
Campania seeks greater protection for traditional products
At several specialist events, representatives from politics, agriculture and business discussed the future of regional food products. A particular focus was placed on new business models for buffalo meat and other sector products. Various Italian designations of origin and quality marks were also discussed, including the protected designation of origin DOP, the municipal designations of origin De.Co., and the register of traditional agricultural and food products, PAT.
Maria Carmela Serluca, the agricultural commissioner for the Campania region, underlined the importance of these designations. Campania has a total of 614 traditional agricultural and food products registered as PAT. These products form an essential part of the region's material and intangible cultural heritage. They preserve local traditions, counteract the global homogenisation of food offerings and support the economic development of rural areas.
In Serluca's view, the regional registers are more than mere administrative tools. They document the biodiversity and cultural identity of Campania. At the same time, they safeguard small local productions and strengthen the Mediterranean diet. Serluca also placed this significance in the context of Italian cuisine's recognition as UNESCO cultural heritage. Campania preserves its culinary traditions while simultaneously supporting the development and modernisation of regional businesses.
Combining buffalo products with specialities from the sea
A further highlight of the Bufala Fest was the collaboration between the buffalo sector and the fishing industry. A cookery event centred in part on Colatura di Alici di Cetara . This traditional condiment, produced from anchovies, is one of the best-known specialities of the Amalfi Coast. The event was organised by FEAMPA Campania in collaboration with the company IASA and took place in the Taste Space, Casa di Cosmo area.
Fiorella Zabatta, responsible in the Campania region for biodiversity, reforestation, fishing, aquaculture and animal welfare, advocated for new combinations of regional products. Specialities such as Colatura di Alici, red tuna and other products from the sea can be used in a wide variety of ways. The festival's chefs demonstrated that these products pair exceptionally well with those from the buffalo sector. This combination of inland and coastal products could open up new culinary offerings and additional economic opportunities for both sectors.
Gala dinner to close the festival
The anniversary edition concluded in style with a gala dinner organised in collaboration with the Campania region. The menu was prepared by the cookery school Dolce & Salato under the direction of head chef Peppe Daddio and pastry chef Aniello Di Caprio. The team was supported by Michelin-starred chef Paolo Gramaglia. The design and organisation of the evening was the responsibility of Sole Ricevimenti, a catering and events company operating across Italy, founded by Leonardo Campagna.
The menu brought together products from the buffalo sector with fish and seafood. In doing so, the gala dinner drew on one of the key themes of this year's event, uniting culinary products from the inland areas and coastal regions of Campania. Incidentally, at least one participant from our new home of Pozzuoli was represented at the Bufala Fest: the Ristorante Anticus. For us, it has long been one of the city's favourite restaurants.
Two editions of the Bufala Fest in 2027
To close proceedings, the organisers announced two editions of the Bufala Fest for 2027. The event is set to take place next year in both Padua and, once again, in Naples. The exact dates and venues have not yet been announced. The tenth edition of the Bufala Fest was held under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, the Italian Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, the Campania Region, the Metropolitan City of Naples and the City of Naples.
The event was also co-financed under the national programme FEAMPA 2021–2027. The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund programme supports the sustainable and competitive development of fisheries and aquaculture. Its key areas include ecological transformation, digitalisation, the resilience of the sector and the promotion of innovative production methods.
