The XXXIII edition of A tavola sulla spiaggia in Forte dei Marmi

Sunday, June 29, the presentation of dishes at the Capannina and Sunday, July 6, the awards ceremony

For the sixth time the challenge to the last ladle will be at one of the symbols of Forte dei Marmi, along with the Fortino and the pier, La Capannina di Franceschi, thanks to the traditional collaboration with the Guidi Family. That Capannina was born 96 years ago right on the dunes of a beach that did not yet have a promenade.

“When in 1993 we started with the first edition of A tavola sulla spiaggia,” Gianni Mercatali recalls, "we did it on the sands of Bagno Roma di Levante in Forte dei Marmi thanks to the hospitality and vision of Grand Officer Gherardo Guidi, who unfortunately left us last fall. It was he who accompanied us on this path of affirmation even in the pandemic period, when he suggested hosting the event at the Capannina with its spaces and atmosphere. And at the Capannina we stayed mainly for an emotional reason. I would now like to thank his wife Carla Valenti together with their daughter Cristina Guidi for the generosity with which they still granted this magical place that is set to celebrate 100 years in the not too distant future. A sincere thank you I extend on behalf of myself and Federica Rotondo who, with her company Once, is part of the Organizing Committee and is responsible for all logistics."

Gianni Mercatali

The double date is set for Sunday, June 29 at 6 p.m. for the presentation of dishes at the Capannina and Sunday, July 6 at 5:30 p.m. for the awards ceremony, also at the Capannina.

To learn more about the history of the event, you can also purchase the book HERE.

Cover libro A tavola sulla spiaggia

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The event, presented by Annamaria Tossani is a “gluttonous” show that will proclaim the “Piatto Forte” 2025 or rather, this year two, dedicated to Forte dei Marmi. The “golden colander” created by Petruzzi & Branca of Brescia will be the symbol of victory in this original social-gastronomic talent show. While each contestant will be presented with their own personalized silver frame by Maria Grazia and Filippo Cassetti. The Press Jury's Absolute First Prize, on the other hand, will be dedicated to Capannina and Parmigiano Reggiano.

But this year the Social Award has been added, which will see the winner of the dish that receives the most likes and comments on the event's social channels (IG @atavolasullaspiaggia - FB A tavola sulla spiaggia). The dishes will be posted by the Organization on July 1 and contestants will have until midnight on Saturday, July 5 to engage the public to express their appreciation. There will be twelve contestants, divided into the four categories of appetizers, first courses, main courses and desserts although, on the beach, these categories traditionally disappear. They will be paired with as many wines. This year they have already confirmed from Friuli Eugenio Collavini, from Emilia Tenute Venturini Foschi, from Tuscany Cantine Lunae, Cecchi, Colle Bereto, women Fittipaldi, from Umbria Arnaldo Caprai and from abroad champagne Perrier Jouet. For the first time, and this is indeed a source of pride for the Organizers, Château Lascombes Margaux has asked to participate with its Chevalier 2022.

Maria Fittipaldi Menarini e Lucia Giovannetti

On the jury tables there will be Surgiva water in the 3 variants: natural, sparkling and still. The catering service will be taken care of by Ideal Party that in less than 3 hours will serve with its team to 40 jurors 12 gastronomic proposals changing 480 dishes and 12 wines replacing 480 tasting glasses. While supervision and all logistics are taken care of Federica Rotondo's Once Agency.

This year's novelty

The Organizing Committee urged in recent years by journalists and former competitors, decided to invite some winners of previous editions starting from the first overall, to the first in category, to those who won the Press Award. And so it was that some competitors from the last century also returned to the limelight. So many seemed ready to participate that the selection of entries was not easy. This year again there will be some “repeaters,” including Renato Raimo but also first-time contestants such as Chiara Boni. And that is how we will have 2 winners.

The jury

In the jury are journalists, opinion leaders, wine producers, restaurateurs and chefs. It is expected to count more than 9 Michelin stars from Versilia but not only, where the now faithful Gianfranco Vissani will not be missing. Among the attendees confirmed to attend is Romano Tamani, the one who together with his brother Carlo invented the Ambasciata di Quistello in 1978, soon winning 2 Michelin stars. Also, Luca Calvani, who from being a competitor and winner in 2021, will sit on the jury for the second time this year.

Luca Calvani

The theme

Gastronomically returns the theme of recovery, of recycling cuisine, of the sublime art of preparing good and healthy dishes without throwing anything away. So much so that again this year the organizers have invited all partners to donate their products to the Banco Alimentare della Toscana, a structure that the event organizers have been supporting for years. There will be no lack of a variation on the theme of recovery because the most anticipated guest will still be the summer panettone, of course out of competition, produced by Fiore 1827, the artisan company founded in Siena 2 centuries ago. After 13 years, when in 2012 Davide Paolini proposed and presented on the “noble sands” of the Fortress the consumption of artisanal summer panettone, the success of this original idea continues.

Partners

It is a real pleasure to have among the partners of the event this year Savini over half a century dedicated to the art of bread and Cassata Fiorenza, the exclusive and typical wafer of Florence. Two prestigious confirmations: Fiore 1827 and then that of the Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Consortium. “We are happy to be again for this edition 2025 among the protagonists of ”A tavola sulla spiaggia," said Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Consortium. “Parmigiano Reggiano is the King of the Table and an icon of Made in Italy loved by consumers in Italy and abroad, unique and inimitable.”