Taste of Italy in NOLA
The very first Carla Pesono's Taste of Italy event, presented by the Italian Barrel, is scheduled for Thursday, October 8 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fulton Street between Lafayette and Poydras streets.
About Carla Pesono's Taste of Italy
Carla Pesono's Taste of Italy will pair Italian food with drinks, live entertainment, and a world-record-breaking antipasti board.
Participating restaurants that are to be featured during the event include some of New Orleans' best Italian spots such as Pascal's Manale and Venezia, as well as dessert spots including Angelo Brocato and Bae's Bakery.
The main attraction for the inaugural Taste of Italy will be the world's largest antipasti board. The record-breaking board, built by Italian sculptor Jonathan Bertuccelli, who also created the King Cake Baby mascot, is set to weigh over 200 pounds, and attendees will have the chance to eat off the board. It will include cured meats, cheese, and vegetables.
"Italian and Sicilian culture is deeply woven into the fabric of New Orleans, and I believe it deserves to be celebrated even more," Carla Pesono said in a press release. "Taste of Italy is about honoring those traditions, bringing people together through authentic food and drink, and shining a spotlight on the heritage that has shaped this city for generations."
General Admission tickets, which include unlimited food and drink tasting, are $100, while VIP tickets, which adds an one hour early entry and first access to the antipasti board, are $150.
Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Italian American St. Joseph Society.
Who is Carla Pesono?
Carla Pesono is a content creator who focuses on restaurants across the Greater New Orleans area. She is also an accomplished cook, having earned a spot in the top 40 of MasterChef season 13.
Born in Buffalo to an Italian American family, Pesono moved to Baton Rouge in 2015, taking a news anchor position before moving to WGNO in 2018.
At WGNO, she gained a following and a love for food in Southeast Louisiana, which she used to create Carla Media, a company that helped to promote local restaurants.
Her love for food and Louisiana has culminated in Carla Pesono's Taste of Italy, an event that showcases Pesono's passions. The event reflects her passion for authentic Italian cuisine, storytelling, and celebrating the rich Italian heritage of New Orleans, according to the event's press release.
