Il Bagna Cauda day, the largest collective event dedicated to Piedmontese gastronomic tradition, also returns in the 2024 with a program even more ricco and engaging. Over 170 venues including restaurants and agritourisms, with more than 48 thousand seats available, will bring one of Piedmont's most deep-rooted traditions to the tables of thousands of people. The initiative, promoted by the Astigiani Cultural Association, will take place during the last two weekends of November (November 22-24 and 29 – December 1) and will extend in January-February 2025 with the “Bagna della Merla” (29 2 from January to February). An event that, while remaining faithful to its tradition, is enriched every year with new, like the “Bagna Cauda Caravan”.
Bagna Cauda Day arrives all over the world
Bagna Cauda Day is an event that has acquired an ever-increasing resonance over the years, becoming a real global celebration. In 2024, in addition to animating various locations in Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and Liguria, the initiative will also extend abroad, touching distant metropolises such as Shanghai, New York, London, Madrid e TokyoIt is no coincidence that the slogan for Bagna Cauda Day 2024 is: “Exaggeration does not apply: the world belongs to everyone”.
A unique opportunity to celebrate a dish that tells centuries of Piedmontese peasant history. Bagna cauda is a hot, rich and fragrant dish, prepared with extra virgin olive oil, anchovies e garlic, which is served with an assortment of raw and cooked vegetables – such as artichokes, cabbages, potatoes, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes and, of course, cardoons – that each participant can dip into the traditional “fujot”, the container in which bagna cauda is kept warm. But beyond its diffusion, the event remains first and foremost an opportunity to gather people around a table, to enjoy together this rustic dish, simple but rich in history.
The news of 2024
Also this year, the initiative will involve numerous venues, marked by traffic lights which indicate the type of bagna cauda offered: classic, “heretic” or “atheist” without garlic. And, for those who cannot attend the event, some restaurants offer the possibility of ordering the bagna cauda to take away.
In addition to the usual participation of restaurants and agritourism, Bagna Cauda Day 2024 brings with it some novelties. One of the most anticipated is the “Caravan of Bagna Cauda”, a group of vintage cars will set off on November 23 from Badalucco, in Liguria, to climb Col di Nava and arrive in Piedmont, bringing with them the “typical” ingredients of bagna cauda: new oil from Taggiasca olives, fresh anchovies from the Ligurian Sea and garlic from Vessalico. The procession, greeted by the local communities, will arrive in Asti where, at 17:30 pm, a large “fujot” (the bagna cauda stove) will be lit by Olympic pentathlete Alice Sotero, a symbol of uniting tradition with the world of sport.
Then there is the “Bacialé Wet“, an evening dedicated to singles who, under the pretext of a bagna cauda dinner, will have the opportunity to meet. In the locations marked with the logo of an anchovy piercing a heart, singles will have the opportunity to meet, laugh and, who knows, maybe make new acquaintances. Then there is the “Wet Bike“, a bike ride on the hills of Monferrato before sitting down to eat. And for those who prefer walking, there will also be the “Bagna Cauda Walk“, a panoramic walk that will end with a bagna cauda lunch in one of the participating restaurants. Initiatives that aim to make the event a 360-degree moment of socializing, not just gastronomic. But it doesn't end there: this year the event is also enriched with horseback riding on the hills of Monferrato, combining the gastronomic tradition with the natural beauty of the territory. In addition, activities are planned in schools, such as "Wet on the Blackboard“, to raise awareness among young people about dietary changes over the generations. And for those who love irony, there is also the Premio "Aj's head", which rewards those who, with a creative spirit, have been able to go against the grain
The 2024 edition will also be enriched by a masterclass on the preparation of bagna cauda, held by the chefs of the Hotel School of Agliano Terme and Asti. Participants will be able to learn all the secrets of this traditional dish both in the classic version "Come Dio comanda", and in the variant "Atea -senza aglio", and consume it convivially in their restaurant room.
Furthermore, there is no lack ofsocial and environmental commitment: part of the funds raised will be used to create the Astigiani Woods, a public park that will rise on the hills of Viatosto.
Participation details and prices
To participate in the Bagna Cauda Day, the the cost of the dish is 30 euros, a figure that, in many cases, also includes appetizers and other local delicacies. Those who wish can also taste the “Bagna sovrana” version or a “Finale in gloria” with truffle. The wine will be offered at a price of 15 euros per bottle. The initiative also sees the collaboration of four important wineries from Asti, leaders of Barbera: Bava di Cocconato, Braida di Rocchetta Tanaro, Cascina Castlèt di Costigliole d'Asti and Coppo di Canelli.
