Cous Cous Fest - International Festival of Cultural Integration
Cous Cous Fest
Genrecultural, gastronimic
Begins2025-09-19
Ends2025-09-28
Frequencyannually
Location(s)San Vito Lo Capo, (Trapani)
CountryItaly
FoundersFeedback Srl, Comune di San Vito Lo Capo
Most recent20-29 Sep, 2024
Attendance300.000
Activity
  • Couscous tasting
  • Cooking show participation
  • Popular jury tasting and voting
  • Expovillage visit
  • Free beach concerts
SponsorsBia Cous Cous, Conad, Unicredit, Electrolux, Amadori
Websitehttps://couscousfest.it/en


Cous Cous Fest is a cultural and gastronomic festival held annually in San Vito Lo Capo since 1998. This event celebrates cultural integration, peace and diversity through the preparation of cous cous, an iconic Mediterranean dish.[1][2][3]

History

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Cous Cous Fest was founded in 1998 with the aim of promoting cultural integration through cuisine. Since its first edition, the festival has been attended by chefs and visitors from different countries, becoming an annual event dedicated to Mediterranean cuisine and culture. Over the years, international chefs from Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, and other countries have presented their traditional and innovative versions of couscous, a dish listed as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2019 for its cultural value and ability to unite peoples and traditions.[4][5]

World Cous Cous Championship

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One of the main events of Cous Cous Fest is the World Cous Cous Championship[6], a competition in which chefs from different parts of the world compete to prepare the best version of the dish. The competition involves both a technical jury (made up of journalists, culinary experts and personalities from the world of entertainment and art) and a popular jury of about 120 people.[7] The kitchen brigade of Palermo's Istituto Alberghiero Pietro Piazza replicates the dishes for the popular jury, which is then called upon to pass judgment.[8]

The competition is divided into several dates usually spread over three days. Each date involves a competition between two or more teams. The countries with the highest scores during the various preliminary challenges qualify for the finals. During the finals, the final ranking is determined by summing the votes of the technical jury and those of the popular jury.

Palmares

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Year Winner Chef Other Participants President of the Jury
1998 Tunisia Abdel Amid Alaya, Faouzi Sopissi, Benrhouma Messaouda Algeria, Egitto, Italia, Marocco, Palestina
1999 Israele Moshe Basson, Hlafo Fellah, Paola Moscati, Sarit Kahan Algeria, Italia, Marocco, Tunisia Edoardo Raspelli
2000 Tunisia Ycaoubi Lofti, Ben Slama Mong Algeria, Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina Edoardo Raspelli
2001 Palestina Jacob Salbes, Alice Hasan Salim Costa D’Avorio, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Senegal, Tunisia Giacomo Mojoli
2002 Italia Giovanni Torrente, Luigi Pomata, Ignazio Piazza, Emanuele Russo Costa D’Avorio, Israele, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Giacomo Mojoli
2003 Marocco Khadija Bensdira, Naja Boukhari Brasile, Costa D’Avorio, Israele, Italia, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Enzo Vizzari
2004 Tunisia Arroum Mimoum, Messai Abdallah Algeria, Costa D’Avorio, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal Enzo Vizzari
2005 Algeria Sidali Lahlou, Tohuria Chabi Costa D’Avorio, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Davide Paolini
2006 Costa D’Avorio Abibata Konatè, Mimmo Castiglia Brasile, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Davide Paolini
2007 Israele Ronny Basson Brasile, Costa D’Avorio, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Stefano Bonilli
2008 Costa D’Avorio Abibata Konatè Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Stefano Bonilli
2009 Italia Enrico Bricarello, Vincenzo Caradonna, Giuseppe Favarolo Costa D’Avorio, Francia, Israele, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Edoardo Raspelli
2010 Tunisia Haier Aroie, Msoughi Alì Algeria, Costa D’Avorio, Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal Edoardo Raspelli
2011 Francia Alice Delcourt Costa D’Avorio, Egitto, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Paolo Marchi
2012 Francia Alice Delcourt Costa D’Avorio, Egitto, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia Paolo Marchi
2013 Israele Boaz Cohen, Ronny Basson Costa D’Avorio, Egitto, Italia, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia, Stati Uniti Roberto Perrone
2014 Italia Andrea Provenzani, Giuseppe Salmeri Costa D’Avorio, Eritrea, Francia, Israele, Libano, Marocco, Palestina, Tunisia, Stati Uniti Paolo Marchi
2015 Italia e Mauritius Rocco Pace, Stefano De Gregorio, Vinobha Sookar Brasile, Francia, Israele, Marocco, Mauritius, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia, Stati Uniti Claudio Sadler
2016 Palestina George Suheil Srour, Elias Bassous Angola, Brasile, Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Mauritius, Perù, Tunisia, Stati Uniti Claudio Sadler
2017 Angola Helt Araújo, Ricardo Braga Angola, Costa D’Avorio, Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Tunisia, Stati Uniti Joe Bastianich
2018 Tunisia Nabil Bakouss, Youssef Abdelli, Lamjed Hosn Angola, Costa D’avorio, Francia, Israele, Italia, Marocco, Palestina, Senegal, Spagna, Stati Uniti Fiammetta Fadda
2019 Senegal Mareme Cisse Stati Uniti, Marocco, Tunisia, Italia, Israele, Palestina Enzo e Paolo Vizzari
2020 Skipped edition - - -
2021 Romania Claudia Catana Italia, Senegal, Spagna, Marocco, Mauritius, Argentina, Afghanistan Eleonora Baldwin
2022 Italia Pierpaolo Ferracuti Argentina, Brasile, Costa D’avorio, Francia, Marocco, Palestina, Tunisia Paolo Marchi
2023 Messico Diana Beltran, Rodrigo Zepeda Sánchez Italia, Portogallo, Marocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Palestina, Israele Giusi Battaglia
2024 Marocco Hanae Chaoui, Mourad Dakir Italia, Tunisia, Russia, Cina, Ucraina, Palestina, Israele, Eritrea, Medici Senza Frontiere Oscar Farinetti

Italian Championship

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The Italian Cous Cous Championship represents the preliminary stage to select the Italian representative for the World Cous Cous Championship. Traditionally, one of the challengers is selected through an online contest. Each year, starting in May, an online competition[9][10] is opened in which professional chefs from all over Italy can upload a photo of a cous cous dish to the festival's official website. The public can vote for their favorite dish, and the candidate with the most votes is invited to participate in the Italian championship. Judging during the competition follows a procedure similar to the world championship.[11][12]

Next Generation Student Contest

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The Next Generation Student Contest is a competition aimed at students from Italian hospitality institutions. The contest, dedicated to the next generation of chefs, requires participating students to submit a cous cous recipe accompanied by a photograph, uploaded to the festival's official website. The selection of the finalists is made through two juries: a popular one, composed of the public who cast their vote through “likes” on the photos, and a technical jury formed by food and wine journalists and event organizers.[13]

The selected students compete live during Cous Cous Fest, in the same location as the world championship, namely on the stage in San Vito Lo Capo's Piazza Santuario. The challenges, which feature two students pitted against each other at a time, are judged by the technical jury and a popular jury of about 120 people. The brigade of Palermo's Istituto Alberghiero Pietro Piazza replicates the dishes for the public to taste and vote on. Voting takes place in real time and the results are displayed via ledwalls and screens.

The new Next Generation Student Contest Champion has the opportunity to join the winning chef of the Italian Champion in the World Cous Cous Championship

Other events

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Cooking Show

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In addition to the championships, the festival includes cooking shows featuring national and international chefs (including Igles Corelli, Giorgione, Ruben, Federico Fusca, and Francesco Aquila). During these events, chefs demonstrate cous cous preparation techniques and other recipes, explaining the steps and methods of preparation to the audience.[14]

Concerts and shows

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The festival is enriched by a series of free concerts and performances[15] on the beach of San Vito Lo Capo, with the participation of artists such as Carmen Consoli, Mahmood and The Kolors as well as theater personalities. Over the years, the event has also hosted local bands and folk groups.

 
Shot from the layer tower in front of the beach stage set up during Cous Cous Fest during the concert of Ricchi e Poveri

Artists

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Artist Years of participation
Africa Mandigue 2016
Africa Unite 2007
Agricantus 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2022
Akkura 2005
Akua Naru 2018
Akik El Sikameya 2006
Alfio Antico 2003
Alsarah e the Nubatones 2018
Annalisa 2016
Archinué 2014
Babil on Suite 2015
Bandabardò 2009
Beppe Grillo 2018
Big Band (Scuola europea d’Orchezza Jazz Dusko Gojkovic) 1999
Big Mama 2024
Bisca 2003
Bonanova 1999, 2000
Bonova 2000
Brama, Eman e Cordio 2022
Caparezza 2015
Cammurria 2019
Carmen Consoli 2010, 2023
Carmen Ferreri 2018
Chiaramonte 2010
Cinzia Leone 2004
Claudio Coccoluto 2014
Coexist 2014
Coma_Cose 2023
Cordepazze 2009
CT Lab 2005
DAM 2007
Daniele Sepe 2003
Dargen D’Amico 2022
Disco Club Paradiso 2024
Dj Click feat. Gnawa Njoum 2006
Dj Click feat. Tziganadia & Amrat Hussain Gypsy Trio 2010
Dj Ringo e Giuseppe Scarpato Power Trio 2019
Dounia 2006
Duin 2010
Elio e le storie tese 2015
Edoardo Bennato 2012, 2016
Ermal Meta 2018, 2022
Eugenio Bennato 2022
Famiglia del Sud 2009
Fanfara Station 2018
Fabrizio Moro 2017
Fiorella Mannoia 2012
Francesco De Gregori 2013
Francesco Gabbani 2017
Frida Neri 2011
Gabin Dabiré feat. Le Balentes 2005
Gemitaiz 2018
Giacomo Pilati 2010
Giovanni Cacioppo 2015
Giobbe Covatta 2015
Giuliano Palma & the Bluebeaters 2009
Goran Bregovic 2012
Guidabasso 2003
Ilene Barnes 2005
Irene Grandi 2014
I Sing Sicily 2024
Iotatola 2013
Irio De Paula 1999
Jaka 2014
Jaka & Michelangelo Buonarroti Band 2012
Jarabe De Palo 2017
Joe Bastianich Project 2017
Joe Shoed and the K.Toots 2014
Jumpin’ Up 2013
Kachupa 2016
KettyPassa e Toxic Tuna 2013
Kaloma 2010
Khaled 2007
Lautari 2009
La Rappresentante di Lista 2024
Le Balentes 2005
Le Formiche 2013
Le Vibrazioni 2018
Lello Analfino 2010, 2012, 2019, 2022, 2023
Lello Analfino e Tinturia 2019
Leonardo Fiaschi 2024
Lidia Schillaci & Women Orchestra 2023
Lo Stato Sociale 2023
Luca Carboni 2016
Mahmood 2019
Mario Fargetta 2017
Mario Venuti 2012, 2017
Marracash 2015
Mascarimirì 2008
Massimiliano D’Ambrosio 2011
Matranga e Minafò 2018
Matrimia 2014
Max Gazzé 2012, 2013
Med Free Orkestra 2022
Merce Fresca 2011, 2012
Miele 2016
Mistura 2004
Mou 2003
Muchachito Bombo Infierno 2011
Negramaro 2005
Nigge Radio 2014
Nino Frassica 2017
Nour Eddine 2000, 2001, 2006
Noemi 2019
Nuklearte 2002, 2004
OM 2009
Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio 2008
Orchestra Notte Della Taranta 2022
Pablo Rabito 2011
Perturbazione 2014
Piero Pelù 2022, 2024
Pino Daniele 2014
Pop Shock 2024
PuntInEspansione 2011
QBeta 2001, 2010
Raul Paz 2005
Raiz 2023
Ricchi e Poveri 2024
Riserva Moac 2005
Rose Villain 2024
Rumba de Bodas 2015
Sasà Salvaggio 2007, 2014, 2019
Samuel 2017
Sciroccu 2008
Sergio Vespertino 2019
Sicily Stars 2008
Sikania 2019
Simona Molinari 2023
Skarafunìa 2010
Slivovitz 2003
Sud Sound System 2010, 2013, 2024
Sudd MM & Anita Vitale 2007
Sun 2000
Tamuna 2015
Taragnawa 2003
Tarantolati di Tricarico 2009, 2014, 2023
Tinturia 2000, 2013, 2014, 2019
Tribù Zulu 2003
Upanishad 2002
Vinicio Capossela 2015
Weltalabyrint 2006

Expovillage

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Located along the waterfront and in the city's historic center, Expovillage operates daily from 12 noon to midnight for the duration of the festival. The area hosts booths dedicated to the display and sale of typical handicraft and agribusiness products, with a particular focus on Sicilian and Mediterranean productions. Products featured include local wines, extra virgin olive oils, spices and other regional food and wine specialties.

In addition to the commercial component, Expovillage includes spaces dedicated to national sponsors and includes the organization of side activities such as culinary demonstrations, gastronomic competitions and tastings. These initiatives aim to promote awareness of the area's culinary and artisan traditions.

Expovillage is configured as an integrated element in the broader context of Cous Cous Fest, contributing to its cultural and commercial offerings. Its main function is to provide an exhibition space for local and regional producers, facilitating the meeting between them and festival visitors.

Cous cous foodvillage

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A recipe for couscous with spirulina. A tasting ticket in the background.
Typical cous cous with fish
Vegan cous cous

Cous Cous Fest's Foodvillage, also known as the Cous Cous Houses, is the festival's main food and wine spot, where visitors can taste numerous variations of cous cous, both traditional and innovative, from different countries in the Mediterranean and beyond. Located along the streets of the historic center and on the beach of San Vito Lo Capo, The Food Village offers visitors the chance to taste different variations of cous cous, prepared by chefs from different regions. Visitors have a choice of dishes from various countries, such as cous cous with fish, vegetables, or other regional versions, offering a comprehensive overview of the gastronomic diversity that characterizes cous cous.[16]

Impact

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Cous Cous Fest has helped promote San Vito Lo Capo as a tourist destination, with a significant increase in visitors during the month of September. In 2022, the number of tourist arrivals reached 120,855, a significant increase from 28,704 in 1997. Total attendance in September increased from 11,063 in 1997 to 86,488 in 2022, demonstrating the festival's important contribution to the local tourist season.

The event hosts numerous booths and exhibitors from different regions of Italy. On average, more than 100 booths and about 140 exhibitors are present, contributing to the local economy and creating temporary employment opportunities for about 500 people. The presence of national sponsors and collaboration between chefs, food companies and institutions fosters cultural exchange and supports the development of the local food and wine sector.

The event has received support from numerous institutions, including the Region of Sicily, the European Union and UNESCO, which have recognized its cultural importance and social value. The event has gained national and international visibility through the participation of world-class chefs and media coverage, placing emphasis on integration and cultural diversity.

References

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  1. ^ "Cous cous del Maghreb diventa patrimonio immateriale Unesco - In breve - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  2. ^ "UNESCO's inscription of couscous traditions, an example of international cultural cooperation". UNESCO.org.
  3. ^ "Cous Cous Fest". Visit Europe. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  4. ^ D'Ignoti, Stefania (2024-10-01). "A festival of peace and couscous". Hyphen_(magazine).
  5. ^ "The history of the Cous Cous Fest: the taste event in San Vito Lo Capo". West of Sicily. 2022-09-08.
  6. ^ Tp24.it (2024-09-28). "Cous Cous Fest Hosts Global Culinary Championship in San Vito Lo Capo". TP24.it. Retrieved 2024-11-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Couscous World Championship". Cous Cous Fest. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  8. ^ Tieni, Sara (2024-09-19). "Torna Cous Cous Fest 2024: Russia e Ucraina gareggiano insieme". La Cucina Italiana (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  9. ^ "Cous Cous Fest: al via le selezioni al Campionato italiano di cous cous". All Food Sicily (in Italian). 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  10. ^ Redazionale (2024-05-02). "Cous Cous fest: al via le candidature per la partecipazione al Campionato italiano di cous cous". Quotidiano Sociale (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  11. ^ "Cous cous fest, il primo premio italiano è per la versione dolce. Il vincitore: "Mi ha ispirato mia nonna"". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  12. ^ "Cous Cous Fest, Pellegrino vince il campionato italiano Conad - In breve - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  13. ^ Young students compete for the Next Generation Student Championship Once again this year there will be space for emerging chefs to take part in the ‘Next generation student contest Conad’, the competition dedicated to the new generation of chefs aimed at pupils of Italian Hotelier Institutes. Here are this year's contestants, selected from dozens of applications received from all over Italy: Elisabetta Zaccariello from the Severo Savioli Hotelier Institute in Riccione (RN), the most voted by the web with 631 votes, who will present the recipe ‘Road to S. V.L.C.’, 17-year-old Alessia Iurato from Piedmont's “E. Maggia” Higher Education Institute in Stresa (VB) will be competing with a couscous cannoli stuffed with golden humpback tench, aubergines flambéed in vermouth and sorrel sauce. The recipe of Sara Iovino from the Orio Vergani Hotelier Institute of Ferrara (FE) is called ‘Il segreto di Lucrezia Borgia’, while Flavia Montebello, 17 years old from the Safi ELIS Food and Wine Institute of Rome will prepare the recipe ‘Cous Cous Veg’. "Cous Cous Fest, al via la 27^ edizione". GustoH24.
  14. ^ The cooking shows: auteur recipes on the festival stage   Auteur recipes on the festival stage prepared and narrated by great interpreters of Italian cuisine. Once again this year in San Vito Lo Capo, some of the best-known faces of national gastronomy will present their creations, couscous-based of course. Some of the best-known faces will present their creations, couscous-based of course. Champions in the kitchen, such as Giorgione, one of Italy's best-loved chefs; Andrea Lo Cicero, the ‘Baron’, former rugby star on the Gambero Rosso Channel; Ruben, a young talent famous on social networks for his balcony cooking; Federico Fusca, a very popular food influencer; Filippo La Mantia, from Palermo who has cooked for heads of state and rock stars; Francesca Gambacorta, awarded the Forbes prize for chef influencer; and Francesco Aquila, star of the tenth edition of MasterChef Italia. More than 20 cooking shows are scheduled: by purchasing a ticket, the public will be able to watch live the preparation of the recipes, taste the dishes and talk to the chefs. "Cous Cous Fest torna a San Vito Lo Capo tra eventi, sfide di cucina, musica e spettacolo". HorecaNews.
  15. ^ 10 days of free beach concerts with nationally known names. Over 160 artists have graced the stage throughout history. "Dai Ricchi e Poveri a Rose Villain e Big Mama: 10 live (gratis) per il Cous Cous Fest" (in Italian). Balarm.
  16. ^ "Cous Cous Houses". Cous Cous Fest. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
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Category:Culture of Sicily Category:Food and drink festivals