Hands-on cooking at Myrtleford’s La Fiera Italian Festival

• When it comes to making exceptional Italian pasta and gnocchi, a recipe is of little help, says local chef Sam from Salute Italian Pizza and Food, located in Myrtleford’s lovely Lupo’s Kiln Café.

  “It’s all ‘feeling’ in Italian cuisine,” says Sam.

  “Food absorbs water differently depending on what time of the year it is. It’s got a different grade of humidity in it, so you have to feel it.”

  The Italian-born chef will teach a lucky few the secret to picking the right potatoes and the feel of the perfect gnocchi dough consistency at this year’s La Fiera Italian Festival in Myrtleford.

  The lesson is part of The Rolling Gnocchi Bicycle Tour, which takes in some of Myrtleford’s finest attractions: cycling, scenery, food and wine!

  “It’s a great way to combine cycling, food and the beautiful autumn weather and environment around Myrtleford,” says your guide, Claire Stock from the Myrtleford Cycle Centre, who will share stories about Myrtleford’s history as you ride.

  She says it’s an enjoyably easy bike tour that will work up the perfect appetite for an afternoon of gnocchi and wine set to beautiful views of Mount Buffalo. You can bring your own bike, or hire one from the centre.

  Once at Salute, participants will roll their own gnocchi before it is cooked and served with a selection of sauces, and of course, a glass of fine wine.

  The tour kicks off the first day of La Fiera—which runs from Thursday 14 May to Monday 18 May, 2026—and is one of a number of delectable events, which include a dinner prepared by hatted Italian chef Patrizia Simone and Masterchef’s Elise Pulbrook, and a masterclass with Elise Pulbrook and James Mele from The Meat Room.

  The fun and festivities reach fever-pitch on Saturday at La Festa, the festival’s Italian street food party featuring live music and entertainment.

  Then, the recovery starts Sunday, with Claire leading a relaxed bicycle tour around Myrtleford en route to Il Mercato—the Italian-inspired fresh produce market.

  This ever-popular event is an experience to savour. Tickets on sale now.

(May 2026)