BRA'S Festival: What to Expect, Where to Eat, and When to Visit
A visit to BRA’S Festival: Piedmont’s food festival celebrating raw veal sausage from the town of Bra. From celebrity chef security scrums to local wine and cheese, here’s what to expect, and where to eat salsiccia di Bra.
It was hot inside the main marquee at BRA’S Festival where Max and I were queuing for the bar, wine holders slung around our necks, plastic wine glasses already in hand from the first round, when we noticed the commotion.
A security detail was moving towards us, followed by a swarm of smartphones, pushing people out the way until I found myself surrounded by a wall of backs in black shirts. On the other side of them was celebrity chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, posing with the wine I was trying to get to.
Being British, I obviously didn’t want to lose my place in the queue. I was almost at the front! So when the security guards started pushing me again, I indignantly asserted that I wasn’t part of the starstruck swarm and was, in fact, trying to get to the bar. It worked, and I found myself face-to-face with the cashier—but lost Max in the process.
The cashier smiled apologetically, the horde moved on, and Max re-emerged from the crowd, looking annoyed. We were here for BRA’S Festival, the bi-annual event celebrating the salsiccia di Bra sausage. So, too, was Antonino.
Looking for more authentic Piedmontese culinary celebrations? Check out these unmissable food festivals.
Victoria Peel-Yates
What is Salsiccia di Bra?
For fans of Piedmontese cuisine, this is a must-try. Unlike standard Italian sausages made of pork, salsiccia di Bra is made with veal and served raw.
Its origins date back to a royal decree from King Carlo Alberto in the 19th century. The law allowed the butchers of Bra to use veal to cater to the Jewish community in neighbouring Cherasco, who couldn’t eat pork.
Today, a small amount of pork fat is blended in to keep it perfectly moist, along with a heavily guarded local blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and mace.
The meat is lean and exceptionally fresh, and locals eat it spread over bread alongside local cheese and a glass of Langhe Nebbiolo (which is how we ate it at the festival).
BRA’S Festival: Know Before You Go
Bra is the home of the Slow Food movement, and boasts a strong culinary heritage. BRA'S Festival takes place every other September, alternating with the town’s CHEESE! Festival.
Alongside salsiccia di Bra, you’ll find the town’s other famous produce: bread, cheese, and rice, as well as wine, honey, and hazelnuts from the surrounding Roero and Langhe hills.
Over one weekend, the historic town centre transforms into a Michelin-star-studded event, with the food stands under the historic arcades on Corso Garibaldi serving dishes by local chefs like Gabriele Boffa of Locanda del Sant'Uffizio and Pasquale Laera of Borgo Sant'Anna.
We headed to the main tent, where we got a tagliere to share, with salsiccia di Bra, two types of Bra cheese, a blue cheese from Cuneo, Milan salame, and focaccia.
The festival has cultural elements, too. On Friday and Saturday nights, the main piazzas host concerts, and an Egypt exhibition was being held in one of the historic buildings throughout the weekend.
Before we left, I stopped by a stand selling Stelle Alpine (Edelweiss flowers) to raise money for an NGO that takes blind people on mountain excursions.
Visiting BRA’S Festival: Practical Tips
When: Every other September. Check the official website for dates.
Where: Bra town centre, with the main stands on Corso Garibaldi
Getting there: Regular trains run from Turin, Alba, and Cuneo. Parking can be difficult to find during peak hours (a friend of mine gave up and went home without getting out of the car). If you’re willing to walk 10-15 minutes, you can find free street parking further from the historic centre.
Find and book your train tickets (affiliate link):
Read more about how to get around Piedmont.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Taste Autumn in Piedmont at BRA’S Festival
BRA’s festival makes the perfect autumn bucket list item for foodies visiting Piedmont in September, and is an easy day trip from Turin or Alba. Arrive hungry; you’ll want to sample as many local delicacies as possible.
