Residents enjoy tenth taste of Italy at Peterborough festival

Thousands of visitors came to the city centre on Saturday and Sunday to take part in the annual celebrations.

The guest of honour this year was celebrity chef Aldo Zilli.

Aldo took to a big stage in Cathedral Square, where to carried out a series of cookery demonstrations making perfect pasta, with the demonstrations shown on a big screen in the city centre.

He was also on hand to sign books for fans during the weekend.

Aldo’s cuisine was not the only food on offer, with Papa Luigi selling pizza slices, raising money for the Cathedral’s 900 campaign.

While the cookery and food was the centrepiece of the weekend, other elements of Italian style and glamour was on display under the cloudy autumn skies.

A selection of sleek Italian cars and motorbikes were exhibited in front of Peterborough Cathedral while two dance groups from Italy showcased their talents - the Principi dance and music group from Bovino, Foggia and the Boomerang Street Band from Ariano Irpino, Avellino.

Pip Brown performed some of Frankie Valli’s most famous songs, whilst opera singers Teresa De Roberto and Sergio Marinaro also delighted the crowds.

Dignitaries and festival organisers were also treated to a special meal, cooked by professional chef Giuseppe Demonte at the Fleet Centre. All the ingredients for the meal were shipped in from the Puglia region of Italy.