Thousands attend Italian festival in Ettalong

Thousands of visitors attended the Central Coast Italian Festival in Ettalong on April 9 and 10, according to organisers.

The cannoli stall sold out.

Wine suppliers reported sales through the roof of white wines, yet last year with the weather a bit cooler, the reds were more popular.

The queue to the pizza oven never seemed to diminish.

The antipasto stall, the piadina stall and the potato in Italian spices stall kept pumping out their products, whilst constant cries for cappuccinos and piccolos were answered.

The new Tiramisu Tasting competition, with lead judge Mr Wayne Metti, drew a good crowd.

The Beef and Barramundi Bar and Grill took out the title of Best Tiramisu with the chefs scoring bonus points for answering fun facts about the Italian desert.

Of Italian descent, Mr Metti congratulated the South Korean chef who won the title, proving you don't have to be Italian to make a great Tiramisu.

Mareema Dogs, accompanied by their owners, roamed the timber and granite walkways of Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort with constant pats from admiring children.

Benny the donkey scored some of owner Bob's pizza and twitched his velvety ears as the children squealed with delight.

Punch and Judy and the Pinocchio Puppet Show continued to entertain the young and adults alike.

Italian vocalists George Vumbaca and Sam Pellegrino continued throughout the day with a huge range of Italian and English songs and saw the crowd on their feet and dancing.

Classically-trained vocalist Emma Roberts appeared on both stages singing a cappella in Italian.

Visitors planning to travel to Italy, enjoyed the opportunity to speak with Italian State Tourism's Mr Emanuele Attanasio and watch a video to ensure they saw the best of Italy and its diversity.

Cinema Paradiso's most popular Italian Film was Marriage Italian Style enjoyed with a piccolo of wine and fresh antipasto.

The Pasta Eating Competition was slowed down a little this year, as contestants had to place one strand at a time into their mouth and inhale.

Finally, the Gelato Licking Competition seemed to be the highlight of the day.

Four contestants had to lick the gelato held by the person in front of them, all the while bending over.

As the sun set Simon Sawell (aka "Michael Angelo") put down his paintbrush and stepped back to admire his artwork on the facade of the building.

Media release, 14 Apr 2016

Alex Quinn, Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort