For the last 13 years, Minori has been at the centre of attention, not only for its wonderful scenery, its evocative monuments, but also because of the media attention about an event which directly involves one of the most important aspects of life in this community: food. It is a spectacular event, which is held every year and lasts a whole week. It relives the flavours of the very foundations of the culture of food in this town, and, in a way the entire Amalfi Coast. The event, Gusta Minori (A Taste of Minori), is a real blend of art, culture, theatre, and cuisine. It promotes local produce using music and shows with original works.
The success of previous editions of this event means that Gusta Minori, with its perfect blend of music, theatre, and local food, which recreates the historical development of the area, have been supported by local authorities. Their input has been fundamental in the continued success of this initiative; The Region of Campagna, The Province of Salerno, The Chamber of Commerce, The Council of Minori, and the Society for the Protection of the Lattari Mountains have all contributed to the success of Gusta Minori. Furthermore, the Gusta Minori Corporation has collaborated with other cultural organizations such as, The Putigniano Carneval Foundation, The Pasta of Gragnano Consortium, The National Association of Castagno, The Giffoni Film Festival.
The "City of Taste", as Minori declared itself to be on the 9th of June 2002, in the presence of Nobel prize winner Dereck Walcott, who, on that occasion was awarded honorary citizenship, is about art, folklore, scenery, a whole series of events, that can be a true theme for any vacation in this town. Visitors can feed their eyes and mind, they can discover mind blowing foods, wine, provided by people who really understand how to spoil their guests.


The artistic itinerary
No where better than Minori has tradition become theatre, and the theatre has put history on the stage.
This is exactly what Lucia Amato, a producer, has always wanted to do; transforming streets into stages, where the soul can be touched by emotions and colours. Musicians, dancers, actors and local people all contribute to this experience.
The music has been written and arranged by Gerardo Buonocore, the musical and artistic director of the event. As Professor Giugni writes about him: "Gerardo Buonocore's style is expressive, admirably rich in Mediterranean colours and sensitive to the influence of Neapolitan maestros, but it also has sounds which are very pertinent to today's composers. His music is imbibed with rich melody, with enormous dramatic force, which is particularly evident in the conception of the arias and in the treatment of the lyrics and the deliberate choice of the singers and musicians that possess brilliant, fresh qualities".
It all blends in a miracle of freshness and elegance.
All these ingredients contribute to create an enviable visiting card of Minori, well known all over the world. Natural protagonists of this unique event, the community is representative of all the commercial activities and local crafts. Everyone here, is getting ready to welcome tourists, each and everyone providing their own contribution, supported by professionals, tour operators and restaurateurs.

The Palate
The promotion of local agricultural produce, together with how this produce is transformed into typical dishes of this area, is the central nucleus around which all the other events are orientated. Our gastronomic expert, together with the artistic producer who decides the theme for each year, designs a menu which relates to the theme of the event for that particular year.
As visitors walk along the narrow streets of the town, the seafront promenade, in the little squares in the older part of the town, thanks to the collaboration of local restaurants, taverns, bars, craft shops and stands set up for the occasion, they will be able to try all the local produce of our region, as well as gastronomic specialties prepared by centuries old recipes.
Among the typical produce on offer is:

• The Amalfi Lemon, Minori boasts many lemon groves. The first commercial trade of lemons began in Minori in the late 19th century. It was women who had the responsibility of transporting great baskets of lemons from the terraces down to the sea They would carry them to the beach on their shoulders. The lemons would then be exported to far off markets in America. Lemon liqueur, limoncello, is made with these high quality lemons, in the traditional way. The liqueur is also used to enrich creams, cakes and all manner of desserts.
• Hand Made Pasta, has been made here since Roman times. It was in fact, a Roman shepherd who created a form of dough by mixing barley flour with whey. The was the forefather of a pasta called 'Ndunderi, which is still made in Minori today. During the 17th century, a new invention was introduced to Minori, machines which greatly increased pasta production, laying the foundation of the pasta making industry of the Amalfi Coast. Nowadays, there are many small retail points where the traditional varieties of pasta are made by hand.
• Local Cheese, is made in the Lattari Mountains, cacciocavallo, ricotta, smoked mozzarella and matured cheeses by using traditional methods, producing a true genuine cheese.
• Cured meats, in particular, smoked pancetta, salami which is smoked and flavoured with local herbs, are made using traditional techniques.
• Oily fish is served in many ways here. Salted or marinated anchovies, tuna preserved in oil, smoked sardines, and not least "colatura" (extract) from anchovies, which is a direct descendant of "garum", which the Romans used to dress vegetables or pasta.
• Desserts are many and varied: numerous desserts are flavoured with our own lemons, but let's not forget Pastiere (an Easter dessert made with bulgar wheat and ricotta cheese), zeppole (Christmas doughnuts) and fruit flans.

Another objective of Gustaminori is to promote local arts and crafts. Throughout the streets of the town carpenters, blacksmiths, pottery workers, tailors, glassblowers, whicker workers, paper makers and above all pasta makers, will set up small open air workshops, making their wares. Priority will be given to the older artisan activities such as paper making, grape pressing and of course, pasta making.



www.gustaminori.it